3 min readPuneMay 23, 2026 11:15 AM ISTPune thunderstormThunder, lightning and rain lashed parts of Pune on Friday after the skies started darkening in the late afternoon and gusting winds of 30-40 kmph swept through the streets. By 6 pm, Shivajinagar and Pashan had received 13.1 mm of rain. Chinchwad recorded the highest rainfall at 60 mm, followed by Hadapsar with 37.5 mm, NDA 29.5 mm, Koregaon Park 9.5 mm and Lavale 4.5 mm.In meteorological parlance, this was classified as “light to moderate” rain, but the city was not complaining. The sudden cool breeze and the warm smell of wet earth came as a welcome relief after days of intense heat, even if temperatures were slightly lower than those recorded last week.“We had noticed significant heating, with the maximum temperature in Shivajinagar rising to 37°C. At the same time, there was moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea. When there is high temperature along with sufficient moisture over a region, conditions become favourable for the formation of cumulonimbus clouds, which are associated with thunder, lightning and rain,” said SD Sanap, a scientist with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune.Since daytime temperatures played a role in triggering the rainfall, the weather office pointed out that Magarpatta, the warmest part of the city on Friday, recorded a maximum temperature of 41.5°C. In Pashan, the maximum temperature dropped marginally from 38.5°C on Thursday to 37.6°C on Friday.In Lohegaon, which has reeled under heatwave-like conditions for much of this month, the daytime temperature on Friday stood at 39.2°C, or 2.6 degrees above normal. However, it offered slight relief compared to the 40°C recorded 24 hours earlier. Chinchwad ended the week with a maximum temperature of 35.4°C, cooler than Koregaon Park, which recorded 37.3°C during the day.The IMD has issued a yellow alert — indicating that people should remain informed but that conditions are not severe — for parts of Central Maharashtra and Marathwada on May 23, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and squalls. Sanap added that the rain was unrelated to the monsoon. While the monsoon has set in over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it has yet to reach Kerala, after which it will gradually advance northwards towards Maharashtra.For Pune, the IMD has forecast a maximum temperature of 40°C in Shivajinagar and Pashan over the next two days. Lohegaon, Koregaon Park and Magarpatta are expected to witness maximum temperatures of 42°C on May 23 and 24. The city’s minimum temperature is expected to remain between 23°C and 27°C.Story continues below this adMeanwhile, a red alert for severe heatwave conditions and warm nights has been issued for Vidarbha and is expected to remain in force till May 24. On Friday, Bramhapuri in Vidarbha recorded the highest maximum temperature in Maharashtra at 47°C, which was 4.6 degrees above normal.Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read MoreClick here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:RainweatherAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Advertisement