Pune: Rain Forecast Expected in Maharashtra During Diwali, ‘Yellow Alert’ Issued for Some States

Pune :

Dew has been noticed during the night and early mornings across Maharashtra as reduced evaporation has dried up the atmosphere. However, in the aftermath of Cyclone Dana’s landfall on the Odisha coast, moisture in the air is now shifting westward, prompting light to moderate rain predictions for the state during the Diwali festival.

Despite the official monsoon withdrawal, Maharashtra experienced rainfall through early and mid-October. A low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea and another over the Bay of Bengal triggered scattered showers statewide through October’s first half. The last week of October saw a decline in rainfall, which led to increased temperatures and led to ‘October heat’.

Now, the India Meteorological Department forecasts rain between October 29 and 31 in the state. A ‘Yellow Alert’ has been issued for October 29 and 30 in the districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Raigad, Satara, Sindhudurg, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Gadchiroli, Gondia, and Bhandara, with light to moderate rainfall expected. On October 31, a ‘Yellow Alert’ is also issued for Yavatmal, Chandrapur, and Wardha districts.

Senior meteorologist Anupam Kashyapi noted that rains could begin today, October 28, accompanied by cloudy skies and lightning in some areas. He added that recent dryness, due to lower moisture levels, led to a slight chill. However, with moisture returning westward post-cyclone, rain may continue through Diwali in the state.

Further, the Diwali festival could worsen air quality due to increased particulate matter from fireworks. The dry spell has already raised dust levels in the air, potentially leading to further declines in air quality during Diwali celebrations.