Stay Indoors Unless Necessary, Warns Meteorological Department

The Pune Meteorological Department has issued a warning for extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by gale-force winds across Maharashtra. Six districts—Ratnagiri, Satara, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, and Gondia—are on red alert, signaling severe weather conditions.

Monsoon Intensifies Across the State

The monsoon has firmly gripped Maharashtra, with Mumbai and the Konkan region experiencing relentless downpours over the past few days. The Meteorological Department forecasts very heavy rainfall with strong winds, particularly affecting the six districts on red alert. Additionally, Raigad, Kolhapur, and several southern districts are likely to experience heavy rain. The weather system is attributed to a low-pressure area over the North Bay of Bengal, which is expected to cause heavy to very heavy rain along the Konkan coast from July 19 to 21.

Mumbai and Pune Brace for Heavy Rain

Mumbai has been experiencing heavy rainfall since Thursday, which intensified early Friday morning, especially in areas like Malabar Hill. The city, along with Pune and Thane, is under an orange alert for rain. Some districts in the Vidarbha region have also been issued an orange alert.

Lonavala Receives Heavy Rainfall

Lonavala recorded 148 mm of rain on Thursday, following significant rainfall over the previous weekend and continuing throughout the week. The region has been consistently experiencing heavy downpours, impacting daily life and local activities.

Strong Winds Batter Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri district saw an increase in rainfall Thursday night, coupled with strong winds reaching speeds of 40 kilometers per hour in coastal areas. Although there was a brief respite on Friday morning, heavy rain resumed in the southern parts of the district. The Meteorological Department has maintained a red alert for Ratnagiri on Friday.

Flooding in Shindkheda

Shindkheda taluka has been under heavy rainfall for the past two days, leading to a flood-like situation. The Sur River has overflowed due to continuous heavy rain, particularly affecting the villages of Hol and Dhandarne. The flooding has submerged cotton and maize crops, resulting in significant losses for local farmers.

Residents are advised to stay indoors and venture out only if necessary due to the hazardous weather conditions. The state authorities and disaster management teams are on high alert, monitoring the situation closely to ensure public safety.