Pune braces for rain as Ganesh Visarjan processions face disruption
Pune is set to mark Ganesh Visarjan under cloudy skies and possible rain showers, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast wet weather coinciding with the city’s grand farewell to Lord Ganesha on Saturday. The showers are expected not only in Pune but also across Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha, raising concerns of weather-related disruptions during one of the year’s largest religious gatherings.
Meteorological experts confirmed that a low-pressure system over western Madhya Pradesh has strengthened, pulling moisture towards Maharashtra and triggering widespread rain. The development is likely to continue over the weekend, with a yellow alert issued for Pune’s ghat regions where heavy rain could intensify risks of flooding and traffic congestion.The IMD has highlighted that while Pune city may see light to moderate rainfall, the adjoining hilly terrain and riverbank areas remain vulnerable. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution, especially those participating in processions that pass through flood-prone zones. Public safety officials reiterated that while the festival embodies joy and togetherness, the combination of massive gatherings and unpredictable weather requires heightened vigilance.
An orange alert has been sounded for districts including Palghar, Dhule, Nandurbar and Nashik, where extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated. Officials added that persistent showers along the Konkan belt over the next three days may affect transportation and planned festive routes. The alerts, they emphasised, are precautionary but must be respected to prevent accidents.
Beyond immediate concerns of traffic and mobility, urban planners are also raising the alarm over the strain that such extreme weather events place on already stressed civic infrastructure. With thousands of processions scheduled and heavy rainfall expected, issues of waterlogging, waste accumulation and air quality could worsen if precautionary measures are not enforced. Environmental advocates note that the rising frequency of climate-linked weather extremes is a reminder of the urgent need to redesign urban celebrations in a more eco-sensitive manner.
While the city’s cultural heart beats strongest during Ganeshotsav, this year’s farewell to the deity underscores a deeper challenge: the balancing of tradition with resilience. Public officials have assured that traffic diversions, emergency medical teams and disaster management units are in place, but have also appealed to citizens to cooperate with safety advisories.For residents and visitors alike, today’s celebrations will not only test community spirit but also highlight the city’s readiness to face climate variability. The rains may dampen the streets, but they are unlikely to diminish Pune’s collective devotion.
