Pune: After a brief respite, heavy rain is set to return to Pune and its surrounding areas from Thursday, 1st August. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'Orange Alert' for the district for the next three days, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall, particularly at isolated places in the Ghats.

Isolated places in the Ghats may experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Consequently, the IMD has issued an 'Orange Alert' for Pune district for three days starting Thursday (August 1).

Last Thursday (25th July), the city received 114.1 mm of rain in 24 hours. In the past five days, the intensity of the rain has gradually decreased, recording 76.8 mm of rain over the last four days.

This monsoon season (1st June to 30th July), Shivajinagar observatory has recorded 616.7 mm of rain. The average rainfall during this period is 329.9 mm. Thus, this year, the rainfall has exceeded the average by 286.8 mm, according to the Meteorological Department.

A 'Yellow Alert' has been issued for Pune district on Wednesday (31st July), but the intensity of the rain is expected to increase thereafter. The Meteorological Department has issued an 'Orange Alert' for the next two days starting Thursday. Heavy showers are expected in the Ghats, and moderate rainfall is also likely in the city area.

In July, Pune district typically receives 300.6 mm of rain from 1st to 30th July. This year, 594.9 mm of rain has been recorded during this period, indicating that the rainfall this month is 98% above average, according to the Meteorological Department.

Weather Forecast:

• Wednesday (31st July): Generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers. Heavy rain is expected in isolated places in the Ghats.

• Thursday (1st August): Generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers expected. Very heavy to extremely heavy rain is expected in some parts of the Ghats.