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Pune pelted with first thunder shower of summer, hailstorm in several areas

By the evening, 46 mm of rain was recorded at Pashan, the highest reading in the city for this year.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Mar 30, 2026 09:45 PM IST

On Monday as a hailstorm peppered the ground. (Express Photo)

Parts of Pune, such as Baner, turned white on Monday as a hailstorm peppered the ground. Some people rushed for shelter, others unfurled umbrellas and some filled their social media posts with images of a white landscape.

Just as the city was sweating through yet another scorching day, with temperatures hitting high numbers across all weather stations, the sky darkened and it began to thunder and rain. Gusty winds of 40-50 kmph began to blow. Pune is experiencing the first moderate thunder shower of the summer season.

By the evening, 46 mm of rain was recorded at Pashan, the highest reading in the city for this year. The Shivajinagar station recorded 26.2 mm and Magarpatta 25 mm. It was 19 mm in Koregaon Park and 16 mm in Dapodi. Hadapsar and Lavale received, comparatively, less rain at 7 mm and 3.5 mm, respectively.

The city received heavy rain accompanied by strong winds. Tree branches fell down at many places on Jangli Maharaj Road. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre)

Lohegaon, where the maximum temperature had been almost 40° C for several days and which was the warmest part of Pune, was pelted with 36.2 mm of rain. The temperature dipped to 36° C soon after.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced an orange alert in Madhya Maharashtra for March 31 as well, expecting thunderstorms, lightning, squall and hailstorm. From April 1-3, there is a yellow alert in the region, which indicates that there is likely to be thunderstorm, lightning and squall but a hailstorm is unlikely. There is an orange alert in Marathwada as well for March 31. In isolated areas of Vidarbha, Konkan and Goa, the alert continues till April 3.

“As we are in summer now, the temperature has been rising. Wind is blowing from central India to Maharashtra. Due to high temperatures, moisture is dragged from different water bodies. Moreover, hot moist air comes via Telangana ,Vidarbha and adjoining areas. These opposite winds result in wind discontinuity over vast areas of Maharashtra and in adjoining areas. Additionally, the black cotton soil of the region also traps heat during day time. All these together lead to local convection and contribute to the formation of Cumulonimbus, i.e. thunder clouds, which cause rain with thunderstorms,” said Anupam Kashyapi, former Head of Weather Forecasting at IMD Pune.

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A light rain continued for some time in the evening. The Shivajinagar station recorded a day-time temperature of 36° C, almost the same as the day before. Pashan was the coolest area of the city on the evening of March 30. Its maximum temperature fell to 27.1° C, which was sharply lower than 38.3° C recorded on March 27. The highest maximum temperature on Monday was 38.3° C recorded in Koregaon Park.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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