The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Sindhudurg, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur and Dharashiv, forecasting rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in parts of Maharashtra on October 17. The warning comes as the state continues to experience sharp fluctuations in maximum temperatures, with several locations recording readings above 35 degrees Celsius.
The forecast covers western Maharashtra, south Konkan and parts of south Marathwada. The weather department has also warned of hot and humid conditions in Konkan, while Thane, Mumbai and Raigad are expected to experience a rise in heat and humidity. Isolated thunderstorms and rain are possible in Ratnagiri, Pune, Latur and Nanded districts.
The alert is significant for cities and towns where sudden thunderstorms can affect road travel, outdoor work, power infrastructure and local drainage systems. The forecast indicates that hot conditions and storm activity may occur within the same weather system, creating rapidly changing conditions during the day.
The weather department has linked the developing conditions to several atmospheric systems over peninsular India. A cyclonic circulation is present along the Tamil Nadu coast between 3.1 and 4.5 kilometres above the surface, while another circulation is located along the Andhra Pradesh coast at an altitude of about 1.5 kilometres. A low-pressure trough extends from this system towards south Tamil Nadu.
A separate cyclonic circulation has also been observed over the southeast Arabian Sea near the Lakshadweep Islands at about 5.8 kilometres above sea level. These systems are contributing to conditions favourable for rain and thunderstorms over parts of Maharashtra, according to the report published by Sakal.
The state’s recent temperature readings show the contrast between the heat and the expected storm activity. In the 24 hours up to Friday morning, Yavatmal recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 38.6 degrees Celsius. Ratnagiri recorded more than 38 degrees, while Santacruz recorded above 37 degrees. Solapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Amravati and Chandrapur also recorded temperatures above 36 degrees.
The lowest minimum temperature in the state was 16 degrees Celsius at the Wheat Research Centre in Niphad. The wide variation between the highest and lowest readings reflects the different weather conditions developing across Maharashtra’s coastal, western and inland regions.
The yellow alert indicates that residents and local authorities in the affected districts should remain watchful as the forecast period progresses. The weather department’s next updates will determine whether the warning is extended, revised or intensified for any district.
