Lonavala Records Highest 48-Hour Rainfall in 70 Years as Western Ghats Face Extreme Downpour
Since Sunday, several districts in Maharashtra—including Mumbai, Pune, Raigad, Palghar, Thane, and Nashik—have experienced intense rainfall. The Western Ghats region has been particularly affected, with many areas recording over 500 mm of rain in a 24-hour period on Tuesday.
Lonavala, a popular hill station about 80 km from Pune, recorded 620 mm of rainfall on Tuesday, bringing its 48-hour total to 1,290 mm. This is the highest two-day rainfall on record for the area, surpassing the previous extreme event on August 2–3, 1953, when Lonavala received 882 mm over 48 hours. The previous record for the highest 24-hour rainfall was 493 mm, also set in 1953.
The heavy downpour has led to waterlogging and disruptions in several areas. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have issued alerts for vulnerable regions. This is the second consecutive month that the Western Ghats have experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, raising concerns about landslides and flooding in the region.
While the rainfall is consistent with the ongoing monsoon season, the intensity and rapid accumulation have been notable. Meteorologists attribute the event to a combination of strong monsoon currents and orographic effects along the mountain range. Residents and travellers in the affected districts are advised to stay updated on weather warnings and take necessary precautions.
