Pune: City is once again grappling with an intense heatwave after a brief period of respite. On Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a searing 41.4°C at its Pashan automatic weather station (AWS), marking the highest temperature in the district and signaling the return of punishing summer heat.
Last week’s temporary cooling trend was a result of local weather disturbances and moisture-laden winds, which brought thunderstorms, lightning, and scattered rain. During this phase, Pashan received the heaviest rainfall in the city.
However, as temperatures soared on Sunday, Pashan led the city’s heat chart, closely followed by Lohegaon at 41°C, Rajgurunagar at 40.5°C, and Koregaon Park at 40.2°C. Shivajinagar, which typically reports higher temperatures than Pashan, recorded 39.2°C. Lohegaon’s temperature was a significant 3.6°C above its seasonal average.
In just 48 hours, Shivajinagar saw a dramatic spike in temperature, jumping from 36.2°C on April 4 to 39.2°C on Sunday, which was 1.8°C above normal. The sharp rise is noteworthy, considering Pashan, typically cooler than Shivajinagar, was the hottest spot this time.
Areas such as Koregaon Park, Lohegaon, Magarpatta, Shirur, and Dhamadere continue to be some of the city’s known heat hotspots.
While daytime temperatures have been soaring, nighttime temperatures have slightly dropped. For example, Shivajinagar’s minimum temperature fell from 18.4°C on April 4 to 17.6°C on Sunday, 1.5°C lower than the average.
According to S.D. Sanap, a senior meteorologist at IMD, the rising heat can be attributed to the weakening of a weather system over southern Maharashtra. He explained, “With the system dissipating, most regions are now experiencing dry and hot conditions. This trend of above-normal temperatures is expected to continue across the state, including Pune, for the next two to three days.”
Pune’s summer has been particularly harsh this year, with January recording temperatures exceeding 35°C, marking it as the hottest January in the last decade.
