A sudden hailstorm struck Hinjawadi this afternoon, bringing a brief but welcome respite from the sweltering heat that had gripped Pune city in recent days. The thunderstorm formed rapidly over the northwest region of the city, affecting areas such as Wakad, Balewadi, and Dehu Road. This unexpected change in weather provided temporary relief from soaring temperatures that had been hovering around 40°C. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a weather warning at 4:30 PM (IST), cautioning residents across several districts in Maharashtra about possible thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds, and light rainfall over the next three hours.
According to the alert, isolated areas in Pune, Nashik, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, and Nanded are expected to witness thunderstorms with lightning, and winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph. These sudden weather fluctuations could pose risks to life and property. IMD has urged citizens, particularly farmers, construction workers, and two-wheeler commuters, to remain cautious and avoid exposure to open areas during this period. The advisory emphasized staying indoors, avoiding shelter under trees or electric poles, and securing loose structures to minimize hazards caused by strong winds and lightning.
This weather alert is part of the IMD’s ongoing real-time surveillance initiative to ensure public safety during sudden climatic shifts. Citizens are encouraged to follow IMD's official updates and alerts on social media, including the latest insights shared by IMD scientist Anupam Kashyapi. As parts of the city like Koregaon Park, Lohegaon, Shirur, and Chinchwad continue to face extreme temperatures, today’s storm brought both relief and a reminder of the unpredictability of summer weather patterns in Maharashtra.