Pune Weather Disruption: Gusty Winds and Hail Showers Cause Tree Falls
On Wednesday evening, Pune was struck by gusty winds that swept across several parts of the city, leading to multiple incidents of tree uprooting and triggering isolated hail showers. The rainfall intensity, however, remained lower compared to the widespread showers recorded earlier in the week, according to meteorological reports.
Fire Department Responds to Multiple Tree Fall Incidents
Officials from the fire department confirmed receiving at least eight calls related to uprooted trees in areas such as Vimannagar, Dhanori, Hadapsar, and Wadgaonsheri, following the strong winds during the evening hours. Hail showers were reported from pockets of the old city, including peth areas, as well as Katraj and Akurdi, adding to the weather-related disruptions.
IMD Scientist Explains Weather Patterns
India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist S D Sanap noted that rainfall activity on Wednesday was more widespread than on Tuesday, though still less intense than Monday's showers. "Rainfall was reported in most places on Wednesday, while areas like Baner, Pashan, and Sus saw only cloudy conditions earlier," he stated. Sanap attributed the weather to moisture incursion linked to a trough extending from east Bihar to north Madhya Maharashtra across Jharkhand, north Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh at about 0.9 km above mean sea level. Combined with daytime heating, these conditions created what he described as a perfect recipe for thundershowers. Shivajinagar received 0.4mm of rain till 8.30pm, while Lohegaon recorded 32.6mm during the same period.
Forecast for Pune and Surrounding Areas
According to the IMD's local forecast for Pune and surrounding areas issued on Wednesday, thunderstorm activity with lightning and light rain is very likely during the afternoon or evening hours till April 4, even as skies are expected to remain mainly clear to partly cloudy during the day. The IMD has forecast isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph) over Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Gujarat between April 2 and 4.
Thundersquall Activity and Hailstorm Warnings
Thundersquall activity with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, is likely over Madhya Maharashtra on April 2 and 3. The department has also indicated the possibility of isolated hailstorms over Madhya Maharashtra between April 2 and 3, raising concerns for potential damage to crops and infrastructure.
Private Forecaster's Insights
Private forecaster Skymet Weather Services highlighted that multiple factors have converged to trigger the ongoing spell of unseasonal weather across the region. Officials said that pre-monsoon thunderstorm activity, initially seen over Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra, is expected to spread further, with fairly widespread and strong weather activity likely to persist across interior parts of the state till April 7. While coastal areas may see some relief after April 4, parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha could continue to experience hailstorms and strong winds during this period, underscoring the need for residents to stay alert and prepared.
