The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised concerns over heatwave conditions in eight districts of Maharashtra, signaling a yellow alert for Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, and Beed. The alert, effective from Thursday onwards, warns residents of scorching temperatures and advises precautionary measures.
Heatwave Warning:
- Affected Districts: Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, Beed
- Severity: Yellow Alert (IMD’s indication for potential heatwave conditions)
- Expected Duration: Commencing Thursday
Rainfall Relief in Pune:
While the heatwave grips parts of Maharashtra, Pune anticipates a reprieve with the forecast of convective rainfall. On Wednesday, isolated showers graced the city; however, they failed to significantly mitigate the prevailing heat. IMD officials attribute this precipitation to a moisture incision over select areas, particularly Madhya Maharashtra, induced by the positioning of the trough line. This phenomenon is expected to sustain convective rainfall in Pune for the next 48 hours.
Rainfall Statistics:
- Highest Rainfall: Wadgaonsheri led the city’s rainfall tally with 16.5mm till 7:30 PM on Wednesday.
- Other Recorded Amounts: Magarpatta (1mm), Haveli (1mm), Pashan (0.5mm)
Temperature Records:
Despite intermittent rainfall, temperatures remained unyieldingly high across the region. Malegaon seized the title for the hottest location in the state, marking 43.2°C on the mercury, closely trailed by Talegaon Dhamdhere in Shirur tehsil at 43.1°C. Pune district wasn’t spared either, with several stations breaching the 40°C mark.
Pune Temperature Highlights:
- Hottest Locations: Wadgaonsheri (41.6°C), Chinchwad (41.5°C), Magarpatta (41.3°C), Lavale (41.2°C), Lohegaon (40.5°C), Shivajinagar (39.8°C)
- Temperature Variance: Shivajinagar and Lohegaon observed temperatures above normal by 2.1° and 2.5°, respectively
Regional Extremes:
In the Marathwada region, all four stations reported temperatures surpassing 40°C, exceeding normal ranges by 0.4° to 3.7°C. Similarly, except for Gondia at 39.8°C, all nine stations in Vidarbha recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C.
Precautionary Measures Advised:
In light of the looming heatwave, IMD advocates for proactive measures to mitigate heat exposure:
- Clothing: Wear loose, cotton attire
- Head Protection: Cover head with a cloth, hat, or umbrella
- Hydration: Ensure adequate fluid intake
- Activity Limitation: Avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours
As Maharashtra braces for scorching temperatures and Pune anticipates convective rainfall, adherence to precautionary measures becomes paramount to safeguarding against heat-related ailments.
