Maharashtra Weather: IMD Issues Red Alert for Pune Ghats, Orange and Yellow Alerts Across Several Districts as Rainfall Intensifies
Maharashtra Weather, July 05, 2025: A significant increase in rainfall activity is expected across Maharashtra between July 5 and 7, with various districts already under weather alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to Anupam Kashyapi, former Head of Weather Forecasting at IMD Pune, rainfall is likely to rise not just in Maharashtra but also across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, and Gujarat. Maharashtra’s Konkan region, ghats, and eastern Vidarbha are especially in focus.
Division-Wise Weather Outlook
Konkan Division
Over the next 3–4 days, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Palghar, and Sindhudurg districts are expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated or few places. Gusty surface winds reaching 45–55 kmph are likely across coastal regions. Mumbai and Thane may experience intermittent heavy showers and occasional strong winds. In Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, rains will remain intense through most of the forecast period. Moderate rainfall is expected towards the latter half of the period.
Pune Division
The Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, and Sangli districts will generally see moderate rainfall, with heavier rainfall expected over the ghats. The Ghats of Pune and Satara are forecasted to receive very heavy rainfall at isolated places on 5th and 6th July, and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations on 7th July. Light to moderate rainfall is expected across Solapur throughout, with only occasional showers in isolated areas. The Ghats of Kolhapur too may see spells of intense rain during this period.
Nashik Division
Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, and Jalgaon districts are likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall at isolated places, especially on the 5th and 6th. The Ghats of Nashik may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places for three consecutive days starting from 5th July. Jalgaon is also expected to see thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds on 7th July.
Marathwada Division
Districts such as Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Beed, Latur, Parbhani, Nanded, Jalna, Hingoli, and Dharashiv are forecasted to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds at isolated places, particularly from 5th to 7th July. Rainfall will generally be light to moderate. Parbhani and Jalna are likely to see a brief period of heavy rainfall and strong gusts (40–50 kmph) on 7th July.
Vidarbha Division
The weather in Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Wardha, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Akola, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, and Yavatmal will vary across the region. While Akola, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, and Yavatmal have no significant alerts, districts like Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia, and Gadchiroli will experience thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, especially between 6th and 8th July. Nagpur and Wardha will also witness similar thunderstorm activity, with some potential for heavy downpours.
Alert-Based Forecast Summary
- Red Alert for Ghats of Pune on July 6 & 7, anticipating extremely heavy rainfall.
- Orange Alerts have been issued for Mumbai (6–7 July), Raigad, Ratnagiri, Palghar, Ghats of Nashik, Pune, Satara, Ghats of Satara, Kolhapur, and East Vidarbha districts like Gondia and Chandrapur.
- Yellow Alerts are in place across Marathwada and western Vidarbha, including Nagpur, Wardha, and Hingoli, mainly for thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning.
Extreme Weather Events to Watch
The Ghats of Satara and Pune are expected to be the most impacted areas, with potential for extremely heavy rainfall on July 7, raising risks of landslides, flash floods, and disruption of road and rail movement. Coastal districts including Mumbai, Raigad, and Ratnagiri could also face waterlogging, tree falls, and rough seas. Eastern Vidarbha may witness strong thunderstorms with dangerous lightning strikes and intense short-duration rainfall.
Outlook for July
The IMD’s Extended Range Forecast (ERF) indicates that July is likely to bring good rainfall across Maharashtra, helping improve reservoir levels and supporting kharif crop progress. Farmers are advised to secure harvested crops and ensure adequate drainage in low-lying fields.
Preparedness and Advisory
Residents are urged to:
- Stay away from flooded areas and unstable slopes.
- Avoid travel during intense downpours.
- Unplug electrical appliances during lightning.
- Secure loose outdoor objects and trees.
- Follow official advisories from local authorities and IMD.
