Development of the cyclonic storm Mocha in the south west Bay of Bengal would see a stop to the summer rains accompanied by a gradual rise in the day time maximum temperatures. Dr Anupam Kashyapi, who heads the weather forecasting division of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), said that Pune will soon see the mercury touch the 40 degree Celsius mark.
Mocha , at present, is developed as a well defined low pressure area over the south west Bay of Bengal. Over the next few days this is expected to develop into a cyclonic storm and then travel towards Myanmar and Bangladesh. Because of the development of the low pressure, Kashyapi said it would attract moisture carrying wind from the mainland of India which would result in the decrease of summer rains.
April it might be recalled was the wettest for Pune in the last 20 years. This was mainly because of the incursion of moisture carrying winds from both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea due to the cyclonic disturbances created over inland. Also wind discontinuity had resulted in thunderstorms with lighting. IMD had continuously issued yellow warnings to safeguard against lighting.
On Monday, parts of the city such as Model Colony, Shivajinagar, parts of the Pune-Ahmednagar Road, ALandi, Chinchwad, etc., saw medium to heavy rainfall. Shivajinagar reported 9.5 mm of rain while NDA received 9 mm and Talegaon 7 mm.
Kashyapi said with the end of summer rains, there would be a gradual rise in maximum temperature. Soon, Pune and its surrounding regions would record the mercury touch the 40 degree Celcius mark. IMD has asked people to avoid going out during the afternoons especially between 11 am to 3 pm. “Proper care has to be taken to ensure hydration levels are maintained. Light colour clothings should be worn while going out,” he said.
