Pune: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Pune and Nashik ghat regions for Friday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few locations and extremely heavy rain in isolated areas. Strong winds of 50-60kmph, with gusts up to 70kmph, are also expected in the ghats. Pune city is likely to see only light to moderate showers on Friday, with rainfall likely to ease significantly from Saturday.IMD scientist SD Sanap attributed the current spell to a deep depression over central India. “The deep depression is moving westward, bringing widespread rain across the region. Because of its movement and the tilt in the system, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra are expected to receive good rainfall till Friday,” he said.From Saturday, rainfall over Pune is expected to taper to very light to light showers, with similar conditions likely through the weekend and early next week. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 26°C and 29°C, while minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 22°C to 24°C.Across Maharashtra, the most severe weather on Friday is expected along the Konkan coast, north Maharashtra and the Western Ghats. Apart from the red alert for the Pune and Nashik ghats, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in Jalgaon district. Similar rainfall intensity is likely over Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Dhule and Nashik, while Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg are expected to receive heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
