Rain fights shy,but wind gushes forth

However,the city received only 0.3 mm rainfall on Monday. The IMD forecasts occasional rains for the city for the next 48 hours.

According to the department,the low pressure in the north-western part of the Bay of Bengal would lead to an increase in rains across the state in the days to come. “The depression will pass over parts of West Bengal and Orissa on Monday,” an IMD officer said.

Meanwhile,the irrigation department continued to release 1,100 cusecs of water through the Khadakwasla irrigation canal. This water,taken by the PMC,is used for drinking purposes. Water discharge from the Khadakwasla dam spillway was stopped two days ago.

Storage level in the dams supplying water to Pune was 10.38 TMC. Rainfall in the dam’s catchments areas was also not significant. “Even though the dam level is around 10 TMC at present,the water available will be less than that,as we have to account for evaporation. Also,some water may be allocated for industrial purposes,” said Shivaji Bolbhat,executive engineer,Khadakwasla Irrigation Division. “However,the IMD has said that there will be rains in the next few days,” he added.

Preparing for solar eclipse
Amateur astronomers in the city will be hoping that the sky is cloud-free on early Wednesday morning to witness the solar eclipse. Pune will witness only partial solar eclipse. “It may be difficult for Pune. Even if it doesn’t rain,it is expected to be very cloudy. The sunrise will be at 6.09 am and maximum eclipse is at 6. 23 am. The altitude of the sun over the horizon would be around 3 to 4 degrees. It needs to be at least 20 degrees,” said Mayuresh Prabhune,convener of amateur astronomy club Khagol. Prabhune is in Bihar to witness the eclipse along with a contingent from the city.

However,another city club called Jyotirvidya Parisanstha is setting up a base at Narayan Peth to witness the eclipse on early Wednesday morning.