Pune: Over the weekend, Baramati, Daund, and surrounding areas in Pune district experienced heavy pre-monsoon rainfall, leading to significant flooding, traffic disruptions, and widespread damage. The downpour was triggered by a weather system that made landfall along the Konkan coast, causing the Kara and Neera rivers to swell and flood parts of the Pune-Solapur highway.
Baramati recorded an intense 179 mm of rain within 24 hours, an unusually high amount for this generally dry region. Indapur tehsil also suffered from flooding, with over 70 homes affected, while nearly 150 houses in Baramati were submerged. The floods inundated farmland and roads, isolating several villages and complicating rescue efforts.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed two teams to Baramati to assist with evacuations and rescues. Temporary shelters were established at eight locations, where displaced residents were relocated. Seven individuals trapped in Baramati and two in Indapur were safely rescued. Additionally, the NDRF helped conduct a rescue operation in Markad Vasti, Solapur district, where six people were stranded due to the Neera river altering its course.
Ganesh Shinde, Baramati tehsildar, advised residents living near rivers and canals to remain indoors unless necessary. The district administration remains vigilant and on high alert.
Daund also recorded heavy rainfall, with 157 mm falling during the same period — the highest in the district. Pune city experienced moderate rainfall, with Hadapsar and Wadgaon Sheri receiving 36 mm and 43 mm respectively, while Shivajinagar recorded 19.7 mm as of the morning of May 25. Despite cloudy skies, the city saw no significant rain after that time.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Pune district, warning of heavy rain in isolated areas until May 27. While rainfall is expected to ease from May 27, the ghat regions may continue to experience substantial showers through May 28. Coastal districts such as Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg remain under an orange alert due to forecasts of very heavy rainfall.
Authorities have urged residents, especially those in flood-prone or low-lying areas, to stay cautious. Although the rains have provided welcome relief from the summer heat, the sudden flooding highlights concerns regarding disaster readiness ahead of the full monsoon season.
