Maharashtra Weather: Yellow Alert for Pune, Mumbai; Orange Alert in Parts of Vidarbha as Depression Moves West-Northwest
Pune: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Yellow weather alerts for large parts of Maharashtra, including Pune and Mumbai, as a depression moves west-northwestwards and is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Parts of Vidarbha are expected to receive more rain, with an Orange Alert issued for four districts on September 24 and another four districts on September 25.
According to IMD, cloudy conditions with intermittent light to moderate rain spells are likely in Pune. Rainfall activity in Pune is expected to reduce from September 25.
The IMD forecast indicates Yellow Alert conditions across several parts of the state over the next 48 hours, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds accompanying light to moderate rain at isolated places. Some districts may also receive isolated heavy rainfall.
No district in Maharashtra has been placed under a Red warning during the five-day forecast period from September 22 to 26.
Orange Alert for parts of Vidarbha
The highest warning level in force during the five-day period is Orange, which IMD classifies as “Alert – Be Prepared To Take Action”.
On Thursday, September 24, an Orange Alert has been issued for Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur and Yavatmal.
On Friday, September 25, the Orange Alert will cover Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia.
According to IMD, these areas may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.
The possible impacts listed by IMD include localised flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods, disruption to transport and power supply, and minor damage to unmaintained structures and crops due to strong winds.
Yellow Alert across Maharashtra on September 22
For Tuesday, September 22, IMD has placed several districts across Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and parts of Vidarbha under a Yellow Alert.
In Konkan, the alert covers Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, while Palghar remains under Green or “No Warning” status.
In Madhya Maharashtra, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Sangli and Solapur are under Yellow Alert. The warning also covers the ghat areas where applicable. Dhule, Nandurbar and Jalgaon remain under Green status.
In Marathwada, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Latur and Dharashiv are among the districts covered by the Yellow Alert.
Gadchiroli and some neighbouring areas in Vidarbha are also under Yellow Alert.
IMD has forecast thunderstorms with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph or 40-50 kmph at isolated places in districts under Yellow Alert. Isolated heavy rainfall is also indicated for some districts, including Raigad, Satara, Solapur, Latur, Hingoli and Gadchiroli.
Widespread Yellow Alert on September 23
On Wednesday, September 23, the Yellow Alert expands across almost the entire state, covering large parts of Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha.
According to IMD, northern districts including Palghar, Dhule and Nandurbar remain at the lower Green level.
By September 24, the more intense rainfall activity is expected to shift towards Vidarbha. Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur and Yavatmal will be under Orange Alert, while surrounding areas of Vidarbha and parts of Marathwada, southern Konkan and the Western Ghats remain under Yellow Alert.
On September 25, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia will be under Orange Alert. Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Akola, Washim, Yavatmal and Nanded are among the central and eastern districts remaining under Yellow Alert.
Rain warnings recede by September 26
The IMD forecast shows a reduction in weather warnings across much of Maharashtra by Saturday, September 26.
Most of western, central and coastal Maharashtra are expected to return to Green or “No Warning” status. Yellow Alert conditions are expected to remain mainly over eastern Vidarbha, including Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia, along with parts of Nagpur and Bhandara.
IMD advisory during thunderstorms
IMD has advised people in affected areas to keep track of weather updates during Yellow and Orange Alert periods.
During thunderstorms and lightning, people should avoid open areas and should not take shelter under tall trees. The IMD has listed cloud-to-ground lightning, disruption to power supply and falling of weak trees or poorly maintained structures among the possible risks during these weather conditions.
Farmers have been advised to harvest matured crops where necessary, keep harvested produce covered, provide physical support to young plants and ensure excess water is drained from fields.
