IMD forecasts moderate rainfall in Pune till June 16

PUNE: The India Meteorological Department on Sunday has forecast moderate intensity (15.6mm to 64.4mm) rain over the city from June 14 to June 16.
The intensity of rainfall is expected to reduce from June 17 till June 19. On these days, the city is likely to get light intensity (2.5mm to 15.5mm) rainfall over the city.
“An off-shore trough is currently prevalent between north Maharashtra and Kerala.Due to an already existing low pressure system, the westerly winds blowing in from the Arabian sea has strengthened from Friday. These systems are collectively responsible for intensifying the effects of monsoon over parts of Konkan, Goa and Madhya Maharashtra region, which includes Pune. As a result, the city and district areas are expected to get rainfall throughout the week,” said a senior IMD official.
The met department has warned of intense to very heavy rain (64.4mm to 204.4mm ) over the ghat sections till June 16.
“There is a high chance of low visibility and formation of potholes due to continuous heavy rainfall. Commuters travelling through the ghat section need to be extra cautious for the next few days,” added the official.
In the city limits, there are chances of uprooting of trees and accumulation of water in low-lying areas, said met officials.
On the progress of monsoon, a senior IMD official said almost the entirety of Maharashtra has been covered by the monsoon and it is active all over the state.
On Sunday, the weather condition was overcast for some hours in the morning. Towards the afternoon, however, it remained mostly sunny. No rainfall was recorded in Shivajinagar and Lohegaon observatories till late in the evening.
The day temperature for coming days would hover around 27-28°C in the city. Although monsoon arrived in Pune three days before the scheduled date, the season’s rainfall in the city till date is 56.9mm, which is less than the usual of 63.7mm.
Met officials said June is expected to witness more rainfall than is normal and warned of more rain in the district in the coming days.
Meanwhile, farming activities — especially sowing — has started in various parts of rural Pune which consists of 13 tehsils.