Diwali, the festival of lights and prosperity, took an unexpected turn for Pune residents this year as unseasonal rain disrupted the city’s bustling markets on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras. The heavy rainfall not only caused chaos in traffic but also created panic among shoppers who were caught off guard by the sudden downpour.
Residents in various areas, including Hadapsar, Pashan, Koregaon Park, and Chinchwad, faced challenges as streams and rivers overflowed, raising concerns about potential flooding. The unforeseen weather conditions extended to different taluks in the district, compounding the disruptions.
The city, enveloped in dense fog since Friday morning, experienced an unusual rise in temperature, making the afternoon uncomfortably hot. As the evening approached, light to moderate rain accompanied by thundershowers added to the perplexing weather, further intensifying the situation.
Despite the adverse conditions, citizens persevered in their Diwali shopping endeavors, flocking to markets for gold, silver, books, and kitchenware. Unfortunately, the abrupt rains led to panic and financial losses for many shoppers.
Several areas, including Dhayari, Sinhagad Road, Vadgaon, Shivaji Nagar, Savitribai Phule Pune University campus, Baner Road, Lohegaon, and Aundh, experienced waterlogging, significantly disrupting traffic flow. The impact was felt particularly in Shivaji Nagar, where Magarpatta recorded the lowest rainfall at 10.5 mm, and Mohammadwadi experienced the highest at 70.5 mm from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Rainfall Figures (in millimeters, till 8:30 pm) by weather stations:
- Hadapsar : 70.5
- Pashan: 45
- Koregaon Park: 44
- Vadgaonsheri: 38.5
- Talegaon: 36
- Chinchwad and Rajgurunagar: 32
- Shivajinagar: 27.5
- Lavale: 19.5
- NDA: 15.5
- Lohegaon: 15
- Dapodi: 12
In a distressing incident near Ram Mandir in Balaji Nagar, the boundary wall of Sadguru Society collapsed, damaging a four-wheeler due to heavy rain. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire brigade promptly responded to the scene.
Looking ahead, meteorologists predict clearing skies after Saturday morning, alleviating the cloudy weather that has gripped Maharashtra. While cyclonic wind conditions may develop in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, there is no indication of rain in Maharashtra for the remainder of November. Experts anticipate a gradual onset of colder weather in the state.
