Heat eases marginally in city, but temperatures stay above normal; no rain relief likely

Pune: Maximum temperatures across parts of Maharashtra remained above normal on Saturday, though the city recorded a marginal drop compared to last week.

In Pune, Shivajinagar registered a maximum temperature of 39.2°C on Saturday, 2.3 degrees above normal, while Lohegaon logged 40.8°C, nearly four degrees above normal. Elsewhere in the state, heatwave-like conditions continued, with Solapur recording 43.3°C, Jalgaon 43°C and Malegaon 42.6°C. Vidarbha remained the worst-affected region, with Amravati and Wardha emerging as the hottest locations at 46°C. Akola recorded 45.4°C and Yavatmal 45.2°C.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune is likely to experience partly cloudy skies on Sunday, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to be around 38°C and 24°C, respectively. IMD scientist SD Sanap said temperatures in Pune would see only minor variations in the coming days. “Day temperatures will hover around 36°C to 37°C, followed by a gradual dip of 1-2 degrees. No significant changes are expected,” he said.

The IMD’s five-day forecast indicates chances of light rain and thundershowers in parts of coastal Maharashtra, the ghats and isolated areas of Pune district. Pune city is, however, unlikely to receive rainfall.

“Conditions are not favourable for pre-monsoon rain over interior Maharashtra. While coastal areas may see some thundershowers, rain activity is unlikely in interior regions due to the weakening of the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal,” Sanap said, adding that north Maharashtra, Marathwada and other interior regions were also unlikely to see rainfall in the immediate future.

On the monsoon's progress, the scientist said it was too early to speculate on Maharashtra's onset date. “We can speak with more confidence only around five to seven days before actual onset,” he said.