Pune is experiencing a sharp rise in temperatures, with heatwave conditions expected to intensify over the coming days. On April 14, Shivajinagar recorded 39.9°C, while Lohegaon touched 41.8°C, marking the highest temperatures of the season so far.
Weather experts indicate that the mercury is likely to climb further, with Shivajinagar expected to reach around 41°C and Lohegaon potentially crossing 42°C.
The heatwave is expected to persist through the weekend, with temperatures remaining 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal. Minimum temperatures are also likely to stay elevated, offering little relief during the night. Dry weather conditions will continue across the city, and no rainfall is expected until at least April 20.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Maharashtra may also face a challenging monsoon season this year. A long-range forecast suggests that the state is likely to receive below-normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon period from June to September.
In its latest outlook, the IMD has marked Maharashtra in the 'below-normal rainfall' category, indicating weaker precipitation across most parts of the state. Officials attribute this trend to emerging El Niño conditions, which are known to suppress rainfall and impact monsoon performance.