Pune district’s Tamhini Ghat shattered monsoon norms this June, recording more than 2 000 mm of rainfall—surpassing iconic hill stations like Mahabaleshwar and Radhanagari. The deluge, which is more than double June’s 2024 figures, has driven early water releases from the Khadakwasla dam and triggered an IMD orange alert for heavy rain through June 30.
Meteorologists describe this volume—equivalent to two metres of rainfall in one month—as “far from typical” for the Western Ghats. Former IMD division head Anupam Kashyapi notes the intensity marks a significant shift in monsoon dynamics, reflecting stronger moisture influx from the Arabian Sea. IMD data shows Tamhini’s 2 000 mm tally outpaces Mahabaleshwar’s 1 223 mm, Radhanagari’s 1 289 mm, Gaganbawada’s 1 109 mm, and Lonavala’s 1 096 mm — stark evidence of the ghats becoming the monsoon hotspot of western Maharashtra. Last year, Tamhini recorded just 848 mm in June, making this year’s rainfall more than double the previous total .
The consequences for water systems have been immediate. Pune district as a whole received 295.1 mm this June—almost double its average of 149.5 mm. In response, dam authorities released 2.32 TMC of water from Khadakwasla’s catchments in June—an unprecedented early-year discharge. Reservoir levels soared, prompting controlled releases to safeguard infrastructure, though officials ensure the dam remains within capacity margins. State meteorologist S. D. Sanap warns of continued heavy showers in the ghats and moderate rain over Pune city through June 30 under an orange alert. With saturated grounds, risks of landslides and flash floods are elevated. In recent days, sections of the Tamhini‑Mulshi ghat road succumbed to landslides; National Highway 753F has been closed temporarily for safety measures.
Climate experts point to these shifting patterns—the surge in rainfall over the Western Ghats versus a dry eastern Maharashtra—as symptomatic of changing monsoon dynamics increasingly influenced by Arabian Sea systems and weakening Bay of Bengal activity. Urban and rural communities face dual challenges: infrastructure under strain and ecological disruption. The surge calls for sustainable responses—from landslide-resilient hillside engineering and eco-friendly drainage to equitable disaster-preparedness schemes ensuring all residents, particularly informal workers in vulnerable zones, can access timely aid and evacuation routes.
Despite the disruption, civic agencies are proactively clearing chokepoints, managing dam releases, and monitoring at-risk zones. The human cost has been limited so far, reflecting improving early warning systems. As monsoon operations continue, sustained vigilance is essential. Pune’s record-breaking June rainfall illustrates both the geophysical power of nature and the necessity for sustainable, gender‑neutral, and resilient urban planning—integrating environmental foresight with social equity to prepare communities for intensified climate variability.
Pune’s current monsoon trial underscores a broader mandate: adapt infrastructure and planning to evolving climate patterns, ensuring that cities not only withstand extreme weather but emerge stronger, greener, and fairer.
Also Read: Mumbai Braces For Heavy Rain High Tides And Coastal Alerts
