Pune district has been battered by an unprecedented spell of pre-monsoon rainfall, shattering decades-old records and plunging several areas into chaos. In the last 48 hours alone, the district has witnessed torrential downpours, leading to severe flooding, power outages, and widespread disruption of daily life. Authorities have confirmed that some locations have recorded the highest rainfall figures in recent history, making this one of the most extreme weather events Pune has faced in years.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), multiple talukas in Pune district have reported rainfall far above the seasonal average. Key highlights include:
Baramati: 307 mm in 48 hours, the highest in the district and a new May record.
Indapur: Over 250 mm, causing flash floods in several villages.
Daund and Purandar: Both recorded more than 200 mm, with waterlogging reported in low-lying areas.
Pune City: While city areas received less than rural talukas, certain pockets like Hadapsar and Kharadi saw intense downpours and local flooding.
This deluge has not only broken records but has also tested the resilience of Pune’s infrastructure and emergency response systems.
Rivers and canals, including the Nira Left Canal, breached their banks, inundating homes and farmlands. Villages like Nimgaon Ketki, Hol, and Katewadi have been severely affected. Waterlogging led to transformer failures and snapped power lines, leaving thousands without electricity for hours.
Roads connecting Baramati, Indapur, and Daund were submerged, stranding vehicles and causing traffic jams. Several bridges were declared unsafe. In Baramati MIDC, three residential buildings suffered partial collapse due to water seepage, displacing dozens of families.
The district administration, along with disaster management teams and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), launched rescue and relief operations. Key actions included:
Evacuation of families from flooded homes to temporary shelters.
Deployment of rescue boats and medical teams in worst-hit areas.
Continuous monitoring of river and canal levels to anticipate further breaches.
Distribution of food, water, and emergency supplies to affected residents.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and MP Supriya Sule visited the flood-affected sites, assuring citizens of all possible support and urging them to stay alert.
Experts warn that such extreme pre-monsoon events may become more frequent due to climate change. The current crisis underscores the urgent need for improved drainage, robust infrastructure, and better disaster preparedness in Pune and across Maharashtra.
