Heavy rain continues records wettest May

The city has officially recorded its wettest May since 2015, with 116.8 mm of cumulative rainfall measured between May 1 and 21, as per data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE: The previous record was 112.7 mm, set in May 2015.

This year, the city has already experienced eight rainy days so far in May, the highest since 2015. However, this year's total rainfall has far exceeded 2021's figure of 88.8 mm, highlighting the unusual intensity of pre-monsoon showers. As per IMD, NDA area on Wednesday evening recorded 103 mm rainfall, while heavy rainfall activities were also reported in Chinchwad and Kondhwa areas.

After a warm beginning at 40 degrees Celsius temperature, the city started experiencing a drastic change with pre-monsoon clouds forming May 7 onwards. Several parts of the city reported moderate to heavy rainfall over the past two weeks, leading to waterlogging in areas like Shivajinagar, Kothrud, Hadapsar, Kondhwa and Sinhagad Road. There were also isolated incidents of treefall and short-duration traffic disruptions, particularly during evening showers on May 9, 18 and 19. The IMD issued orange and yellow alerts on multiple days as convective activity intensified across the region. The widespread rainfall received on May 20 was the peak rainfall activity thus far in May this year. Huge waterlogging, traffic disruption, treefalls were reported in many areas in both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities. While Chinchwad reported almost 100 mm rainfall in 24 hours, Shivajinagar recorded 40.5 mm rainfall which was the highest rainfall in 24 hours this May.