Pune Records Highest April Night Temperatures

The city of Pune is currently in the throes of an exceptionally severe summer, with residents experiencing relentless heat that pervades both day and night.

This escalating thermal stress reached a critical point recently when the city’s Shivajinagar area registered a minimum temperature of 24.9°C. This figure marks the highest minimum recorded in the first half of April since 2017, according to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and ominously approaches the all-time April high of 27.5°C recorded in 2010. Experts from a prominent weather analysis blog corroborated this alarming trend, confirming that the recent minimum temperature in Shivajinagar represents an eight-year peak for the initial weeks of April. The current night-time temperature in this central locality stands a significant 5.8 degrees above the seasonal norm, underscoring a broader pattern of increasing minimum temperatures observed across Pune’s diverse urban and peri-urban regions.

Notably, the localities of Hadapsar and Magarpatta have emerged as the epicentres of this nocturnal warmth, both registering an identical minimum temperature of 26.7°C. This reading is a mere 0.8 degrees shy of breaching the all-time April record, highlighting the intensity of the prevailing heat. Other areas within Pune also reported remarkably elevated minimum temperatures, including Dhamdhere at 25.8°C, and both Wadgaon Sheri and Chinchwad at 25.7°C. Furthermore, Koregaon Park recorded 26.4°C, while Purandar and Indapur both registered 25.4°C, with Daund at 25.2°C and Baramati at 25°C.

A geographical disparity in these night-time temperatures is evident, with the eastern and central parts of Pune generally experiencing higher minimums compared to the peripheral areas such as Lavasa (22.1°C) and Nimgiri (22.0°C), which recorded the lowest temperatures among the monitored locations. This differential heating underscores the complex interplay of urban heat island effects and local topography. The tangible impact of this oppressive heat is being acutely felt by Pune’s residents. One individual residing in the Lohegaon area articulated the pervasive discomfort, stating that the night temperatures exceeding 26°C in their locality have become “unbearable.” For those working from home due to health considerations, the persistent heat has reportedly led to increased irritability, highlighting the direct impact of environmental stressors on personal well-being.

A scientist from IMD Pune provided insights into the meteorological factors driving these elevated night temperatures. According to the scientist, the current warmth is largely attributable to moisture incursion leading to cloud cover during the night. This cloud cover acts as a thermal blanket, trapping heat near the Earth’s surface and impeding its release into the atmosphere. Additionally, the city is experiencing the advection of warm northwesterly winds originating from the heatwave-stricken regions of Saurashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. This influx of hot air is further contributing to the build-up of temperatures across Maharashtra, resulting in the unusual combination of high daytime temperatures and persistently warm nights. While the influence of these warm northwesterly winds is anticipated to wane in the coming days, the IMD scientist cautioned that temperatures are likely to remain on the higher side, with local factors such as solar radiation becoming the primary driver of heating.

Adding to the discomfort, IMD data revealed alarmingly high humidity levels across key urban pockets on the affected night. Areas including Shivajinagar, Lohegaon, Magarpatta, and Koregaon Park registered humidity levels ranging from 59% to a staggering 100%. This high humidity exacerbates the perceived heat, hindering the body’s natural cooling mechanisms and contributing to a sense of stifling discomfort. The confluence of extreme heat and existing infrastructural vulnerabilities is beginning to significantly disrupt the daily lives of Pune’s inhabitants. Residents in various parts of the city are reporting an increasing frequency of power disruptions, which, when coupled with the relentless heat, is making restful sleep an elusive commodity. For many, air-conditioning has transitioned from a luxury to a necessity for basic comfort and well-being. Furthermore, the already strained water supply infrastructure is being put under immense pressure, forcing residents to make difficult choices between conserving their limited water resources and seeking respite from the heat through frequent showers.

The unfolding heatwave in Pune serves as a stark reminder of the escalating challenges posed by climate change in urban environments. The sustained high temperatures, particularly the unusually warm nights, not only impact public health and well-being but also place significant stress on energy and water resources. Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort towards sustainable urban planning, efficient resource management, and mitigation strategies to build a more resilient and liveable city in the face of a changing climate.

Pune Records Highest April Night Temperatures