Pune experienced a severe bout of heavy rainfall on Tuesday evening, disrupting daily life across multiple localities including Chinchwad, Kondhwa, Katraj, and Shivajinagar.
The downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, led to widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls, and prolonged power outages, exposing the city’s infrastructural vulnerabilities amidst increasingly erratic weather patterns. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the highest rainfall in Pune at Chinchwad, which received an intense 93.5 mm of rain until 10 pm. Other areas such as Shivajinagar, Lohegaon, and Lavale also witnessed significant rainfall with totals of 23.6 mm, 33.8 mm, and 34.2 mm respectively. This follows a similar heavy spell on Monday, when Lohegaon recorded nearly 40 mm, triggering flooding that affected Pune International Airport’s exit terminal and nearby roads, causing vehicles to be partially submerged.
Power disruptions further compounded the challenges. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) reported that several power lines in Kondhwa—JK Park, Kumarpam, and Kondhwa itself—experienced faults due to the heavy rains. These faults led to power outages lasting several hours. MSEDCL officials assured that repair teams were working round the clock to restore electricity supply, underscoring the urgency to reinforce power infrastructure to withstand monsoon-related stresses. The disruption caused by the torrential rains laid bare critical gaps in Pune’s urban infrastructure. Waterlogging was reported in many neighbourhoods, severely impeding traffic movement and daily commute. Particularly, Chandani Chowk, with its newly constructed road, experienced severe water stagnation. Urban planners and residents alike criticised the disregard for natural drainage systems in the area’s development. According to a local resident familiar with city planning, the filling of natural drains during the construction of the Chandani Chowk bridge had increased flood risk, echoing similar flash floods that affected Katraj in 2019.
This neglect of natural water pathways raises concerns about the city’s readiness for peak monsoon rains and highlights the pressing need for sustainable urban design that integrates natural drainage. Suburban areas bore the brunt of flooding, with Kondhwa, Katraj, and Ambegaon reporting flood-like conditions. Visual documentation circulating on social media shows vehicles submerged in water, and residents struggling to navigate inundated streets. In Katraj, water entered numerous shops in low-lying zones, aggravating economic losses for small businesses. Local commuters shared accounts of severe traffic congestion and stalled two-wheelers, while public transport services became erratic due to poor road conditions.
Experts from the meteorological community explain that this spell of intense rain is linked to a broader atmospheric pattern affecting Maharashtra. The IMD’s latest weather bulletin indicated the formation of an upper air cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coast, with expectations of it evolving into a low-pressure system by May 22. This system is forecast to move northwards, intensifying rainfall over Maharashtra from May 20 to 25. Satellite imagery reveals thick cloud cover stretching from coastal Karnataka through central Maharashtra, including Pune district, feeding continuous moisture influx and heavy precipitation.
The heavy rainfall, though providing relief from the prevailing heatwave, has emphasised long-standing challenges in Pune’s infrastructure resilience. Drainage systems, road design, and power networks appear inadequately equipped to handle increasingly frequent extreme weather events. The city’s rapid expansion and urbanisation, if not matched with sustainable infrastructure planning, risks magnifying such disruptions. City officials have responded by initiating damage assessments and repair works across affected areas. Municipal agencies are urged to urgently review stormwater drainage plans, enforce regulations against construction that obstructs natural water flow, and implement integrated flood management systems. Environmental planners advocate for adopting eco-sensitive urban development models that incorporate green infrastructure such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and restored water bodies to manage stormwater naturally while enhancing urban biodiversity.
Moreover, experts highlight the importance of modernising the power distribution network with climate-resilient technologies and decentralised renewable energy sources. Such measures could reduce outage durations during extreme weather and support Pune’s transition towards a zero net carbon city. The recent heavy rains and consequent waterlogging incidents serve as a wake-up call for Pune’s civic authorities and stakeholders. As climate variability increases the unpredictability and intensity of monsoons, sustainable urban infrastructure development is not just desirable but essential. Failure to address these gaps risks not only recurrent disruptions but also jeopardises public safety and economic stability.
In line with global urban sustainability goals, Pune’s future growth must prioritise equitable infrastructure that ensures all residents, regardless of socio-economic status or geography, have access to safe, reliable services during adverse weather. This entails robust planning, transparent governance, and active community engagement to build a resilient cityscape that harmonises with nature rather than confronts it. As Pune navigates these challenges, the need for a holistic and forward-looking approach to urban resilience and climate adaptation becomes clear. Only through integrated efforts across government departments, private sector partners, and civil society can the city safeguard its inhabitants and infrastructure from the increasing pressures of a changing climate.
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