Pune, Maharashtra – As the sun beats down relentlessly, Pune residents grapple with scorching temperatures, with Shivajinagar recording a sweltering 37.3 degrees Celsius, marking the season’s highest maximum temperature so far. With clear skies prevailing and warm winds from the Bay of Bengal intensifying, meteorologists predict that the mercury is likely to climb even higher, reaching a range of 37-38 degrees Celsius in the next three days.
Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) underscores a persistent upward trend in both minimum and maximum temperatures across Pune city over the past 4-5 days. This rapid escalation in temperatures is indicative of a looming heatwave gripping the region.
Just four days ago, on March 8, Shivajinagar registered a relatively lower temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius. However, in a stark contrast, the mercury surged by nearly three degrees Celsius within this short span. On March 12, the maximum temperature surpassed the normal levels by a significant margin of 2.1 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature hovered at 16 degrees Celsius.
In addition to Shivajinagar, other areas within the Pune district reported elevated temperatures, with Lavale recording a scorching maximum temperature of 40.1 degrees Celsius. The rest of the district witnessed temperatures hovering around the 37-degree mark, exacerbating the discomfort for residents.
Notably, while Shivajinagar’s maximum temperature marked the season’s peak, the minimum temperature recorded on Tuesday was the lowest in the state, further highlighting the drastic fluctuations in Pune’s weather patterns.
An analysis by the IMD reveals a noteworthy disparity between the maximum and minimum temperatures, with the former more than doubling the latter. Clear skies prevailing over Pune and its environs facilitate the influx of warmer winds originating from the Bay of Bengal, exerting a pronounced influence on the region’s weather dynamics. These winds not only elevate temperatures but also contribute to heightened humidity levels, intensifying the discomfort both during the day and at night.
Anupam Kadhyapi, Head of the weather and forecasting division at IMD Pune, emphasized the impact of these weather phenomena, cautioning residents to brace themselves for continued heatwaves and urging adherence to precautionary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the scorching temperatures.
