On Tuesday (6th June 2024), Dhanori, some parts of Kalyaninagar, Katraj, Kothrud and Lohegaon experienced flash floods due to intense to very intense rain spells. The Pune Fire Brigade received 50 calls related to waterlogging and tree falls, as major portions of roads in these areas were inundated.
Meteorologists described the rainfall as nearly equivalent to a localized cloudburst. Anupam Kashyapi, former head of weather forecasting at the India Meteorological Department, explained that the cloud cell formed and moved through the affected area, resulting in localized heavy rainfall. Vadgaonsheri received 120.5 mm of rain within a day, most of which fell between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Kashyapi clarified that while technically not a cloudburst, the event was classified as an intense to very intense rain spell. He defined a cloudburst as receiving more than 100 mm of rain within an hour.
The heavy rain in Vadgaonsheri caused flash floods in Dhanori and Lohegaon, with overflowing drains leading to floodwaters entering homes. Similar conditions were reported in other parts of the city. Koregaon Park received 80 mm of rainfall, and Shivajinagar reported 68.3 mm, providing much-needed relief from the scorching heat.
Fire brigade officials reported water flooding housing societies in Thube Park, Lohegaon, and the subway near Ramwadi connecting Kalyaninagar and Vimannagar. In low-lying areas of Dhanori, residents reported water entering their homes. Calls for assistance began in the afternoon and continued until evening. Despite attempts to use pumps to evacuate water, the efforts were unsuccessful.
These rains are typical of pre-monsoon showers, which usually start in the evening and last for a short duration. Kashyapi indicated that these signs favor an early monsoon arrival in the state and city, with the monsoon currently advancing through Karnataka and favorable conditions for further movement towards peninsular India.
On Wednesday, waterlogging and an increased number of vehicles during peak evening hours caused traffic jams and snarls across the city. Officials from the traffic control room reported congestion in central Peth areas, Pune University junction, and connected roads in Pashan, Baner, Aundh, Solapur Road, Ahmednagar, and parts of Satara Road between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rohidas Pawar attributed the traffic snarls to waterlogging from the intense rain, reduced carriage width in some areas, and increased car numbers. He noted that the full strength of traffic police personnel was deployed to manage the situation.
