Pune, 5th June 2025: Lonavala and the surrounding Maval region have witnessed an unprecedented start to the monsoon season this year, with rainfall levels far exceeding expectations. The town recorded a staggering 1,921 mm (75.63 inches) of rain by June 30, nearly double the annual monthly average and the highest June rainfall in the past decade. Compared to last year’s figure of 831 mm by the same time, this marks a dramatic surge.
The heavy downpour has continued into July without pause. In the first four days of the month alone, Lonavala received an additional 369 mm (14.52 inches) of rain. The monsoon made an early and powerful entry this year, with even the month of May recording an unusual 499 mm of rainfall, setting the stage for what now appears to be a record-breaking season.
Rainfall data is collected at multiple monitoring points, including the Lonavala Municipal Council, Tata Power Company, and the INS Shivaji training base. Interestingly, the figures from Tata Power and INS Shivaji have reported even higher rainfall than those recorded by the municipal authorities, underlining the intensity of this year's monsoon.
While the rains have brought much-needed relief in terms of dam storage, with reservoirs in the region now reaching nearly 70% capacity, they’ve also disrupted normal life. Persistent showers have caused flooding in low-lying areas, made travel difficult, and delayed critical agricultural activities. Many paddy fields remain unplanted as standing water has prevented farmers from preparing the land.
With no signs of the rain letting up, experts suggest the region could see one of its wettest years on record. The ongoing rainfall over the Western Ghats continues to feed the region’s dams and rivers. However, unless there is a break in weather soon, both urban routines and the rural planting calendar will continue to be significantly affected.