Rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning expected in Pune over next 4 hours, IMD warns

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning over the next four hours in Pune, office-goers are likely to experience some difficulty during their commute back home on Monday.

In a NOWCAST (short-term weather forecasting ranging for 1-5 hours) issued on Monday evening, the Met department has asked citizens to take care while stepping out due to the possibility of lightning and gusty winds. It has also advised citizens to drive slowly due to slippery roads, and avoid taking shelter under trees during storms. Caution is to be exercised during gusty winds to protect onself from flying objects as well broken tree branches. Traffic snarls are also to be expected.

Over the last few days, Pune and its surrounding regions have been reporting regular rainfall along with thunder and lightning in the evenings. The IMD pointed out that such summer rains were missing last year. The rainfall is mainly triggered due to the high day-time temperature and the incursion of moisture from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Significantly, Pune city has reported 222 per cent excess rainfall since January.