Maharashtra Weather Update: IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Konkan as Early Summer Heat Grips All 36 Districts
The pleasant winter chill has officially vanished from Maharashtra as a sudden and aggressive spike in temperatures signals the arrival of an early summer. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded the alarm for several coastal districts, while inland regions, including the major urban hubs of Pune and Mumbai, brace for a relentless rise in the mercury levels over the next 72 hours.
IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Konkan; Coastal Districts Sizzle
The Konkan division is currently the focal point of this heat surge. The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for the districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, warning of high heat and oppressive humidity. In these coastal belts, the combination of high temperatures and moisture in the air is expected to create significant physical discomfort.
Neighboring districts in the Konkan division, including Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, and Palghar, are also feeling the heat. Maximum temperatures in Mumbai are already tracking 4°C above normal, with Santacruz and Colaba recording a sharp rise. Satellite imagery reveals a worrying lack of moisture over the state, which is preventing any chance of cloud cover or relief.
Dr. Anupam Kashyapi Warns of Rapid Temperature Rise in Pune and Mumbai
Noted weather scientist Dr. Anupam Kashyapi has confirmed that the transition to summer is happening much earlier than expected. According to Dr. Kashyapi, day temperatures in the Pune division, comprising Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Solapur, are on a steep upward trajectory.
“The morning temperatures, which usually provide a respite, are now rising to 17°C-18°C, while daytime highs are touching 35°C,” Dr. Kashyapi noted. He emphasized that the dry northerly winds have weakened, allowing warm air to dominate the landscape. This trend is not localized; it is being felt across the entire state.
Rabi Crops Under Threat Across North Maharashtra and Marathwada
The sudden heat is not just a health concern; it is a burgeoning agricultural crisis. In the Nashik division, districts like Nashik, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar are seeing temperatures that could jeopardize the Rabi (winter) harvest.
Similarly, in the Aurangabad division (Marathwada), the districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Jalna, Beed, Dharashiv (Osmanabad), Latur, Parbhani, Hingoli, and Nanded are facing intensely dry conditions. Wheat crops, which are currently in the critical grain-filling stage, are highly sensitive to temperatures exceeding 30°C. If the heat persists, farmers fear a significant reduction in grain weight and overall yield.
Vidarbha Records State’s Highest Temperatures
As is often the case, the Vidarbha region is emerging as the hottest pocket in the state. In the Amravati division, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, and Yavatmal are reporting scorching afternoon conditions.
Further east in the Nagpur division, the districts of Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli are also witnessing a rapid climb in the mercury. With no rain forecast in the immediate future, these eastern districts are likely to see the mercury cross the 36°C mark well before the end of February.
Safety Precautions and Way Forward
Health experts advise residents across all 36 districts of Maharashtra to take the following precautions:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Avoid Peak Sun: Stay indoors between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM when the sun is at its strongest.
- Support Farmers: Local administrations are urged to provide guidance on irrigation timing to save the standing wheat and gram crops.
With the satellite images showing a “dry state” and no Western Disturbance in sight to bring cooling showers, Maharashtra must prepare for an unusually long and harsh summer season.
