Monsoon Update: Highways Flooded in Maharashtra, as Southwest Monsoon Makes Earliest Onset in 35 Years

Maharashtra Highway Flooded as Southwest Monsoon Arrives Earliest in 35 Years

Intense rainfall across Maharashtra has resulted in severe waterlogging on the Pune-Solapur highway, with sections of the major thoroughfare resembling a torrential river and reports of vehicles being swept away by floodwaters. This extreme weather event occurred as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the Southwest Monsoon made its earliest onset over the state in 35 years, arriving on Sunday, May 25th.

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Waterlogging due to intense rain Disrupts Major Maharashtra Highway

Viral videos circulating on social media depicted the challenging conditions on the Pune-Solapur highway, with several cars visibly struggling against or being carried by strong currents of floodwater. The inundation led to significant traffic disruptions, prompting officials to initiate work to clear the excess water and begin relief operations. Authorities have issued warnings to commuters, advising them to plan travel cautiously as the IMD forecasts more rain in the coming hours.

Southwest Monsoon Arrives in Maharashtra Ahead of Schedule

The heavy downpours are linked to the early arrival of the Southwest Monsoon over Maharashtra. According to the IMD, the monsoon's onset on May 25th is the earliest recorded in the state since May 20, 1990. This is considerably ahead of its usual arrival around June 7th. The IMD stated that conditions are favourable for the monsoon's further advance into more parts of the central Arabian Sea, additional areas of Maharashtra including Mumbai, and other states like Karnataka (including Bengaluru) and Andhra Pradesh within the next three days. Nationally, the monsoon also made an early onset over Kerala on Saturday, May 24th, its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009.

The early and intense arrival of monsoon-related rains in Maharashtra has caused immediate and significant disruptions, particularly on major transport arteries like the Pune-Solapur highway. While the early onset of the crucial rainy season is a broader meteorological development, authorities are focused on managing the impacts of the heavy preliminary showers and ensuring public safety.

Picture courtesy: FE