Maharashtra: Red alert issued by IMD in Pune as monsoon strengthens

After several days of relentless downpours across Maharashtra, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday, May 26, issued a red alert for Pune district, warning of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in the coming hours.

The advisory follows five consecutive days of intense rainfall that have severely disrupted daily life in Pune. Several major roads have been submerged, resembling streams, while flood-like conditions have emerged in low-lying areas such as Daund and Baramati, which recorded 117 mm and 104.75 mm of rainfall, respectively, on Monday.

State on high alert

The chief minister’s office (CMO) is closely monitoring the evolving situation and has directed all administrative departments to remain on high alert. The CMO has instructed officials to immediately assess damage in affected areas and remain in constant communication with the state’s chief secretary and the Disaster Management Cell. Heavy rainfall has been reported in Pune, Satara, Solapur, Raigad, Mumbai, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

A graphic highlighting the progress of the southwest monsoon as of May 26. PIC/IMD

In Baramati, 25 houses sustained partial damage, and seven stranded citizens were successfully rescued, while 70-80 families were being relocated to safer areas. Mobile services, which were disrupted earlier, were being gradually restored. In Indapur, which recorded 63.25 mm of rainfall, two residents were rescued from flood-hit zones.

Across the state

Phaltan recorded a staggering 163.5 mm of rainfall. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been deployed to the area near Dudhebavi village, where 30 stranded citizens were provided with shelter and food.

In Solapur, 67.75 mm of rainfall was recorded. Six people trapped by floods in Malshiras taluka were safely evacuated. In Pandharpur, efforts were underway to rescue three individuals stranded in the Bhima riverbed. In Raigad, a lightning strike claimed one life. The road connecting Mahad to Raigad Fort was closed due to heavy rainfall.

Ahead of schedule

The IMD has confirmed a significant and early advance of the southwest monsoon, which has already reached Mumbai, Pune, Kalaburagi, Mahbubnagar, Kavali, Agartala, and Gopalpara — covering large parts of central, western, and northeastern India.

As of May 26, the monsoon has spread further into the central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, Karnataka (including Bengaluru), and the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu. It has also advanced into Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, parts of West Bengal, and the northern Bay of Bengal. The northeastern states — Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya — have begun receiving showers.

According to IMD officials, this year’s monsoon is progressing ahead of the normal schedule, particularly over the Bay of Bengal and northeastern regions. The early arrival is expected to ease summer conditions and bolster agricultural activities in rain-fed regions. With favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions, the monsoon is expected to continue advancing northward in the coming days, bringing much-needed rainfall, but also the potential for localised flooding and disruptions.