PUNE: Daytime temperatures in the city rose sharply on Saturday, with Shivajinagar and Lohegaon recording their hottest day of the season so far at 39°C and 40.6°C, respectively, India Meteorological Department data showed.An IMD official told TOI that temperatures were expected to rise further in the coming days. “Our latest forecast indicates a continued increase in maximum temperatures, with areas like Lohegaon and Koregaon Park likely to touch 42°C, while Shivajinagar may reach around 41°C. Minimum temperatures are also expected to remain high, ranging between 21°C and 26°C across the city,” the official said.Several other parts of Pune also experienced intense heat on Saturday. Koregaon Park recorded 39.2°C, while Magarpatta and Chinchwad saw maximum temperatures of 38.6°C each. Relative humidity levels dropped significantly too, particularly in Lohegaon where it fell to nearly 15%, pointing to extremely dry and harsh weather conditions.An expert from Vagaries of Weather said, “In line with the IMD forecast, Pune has seen a rise of 4.8°C over the past two days. Shivajinagar recorded 39°C on Saturday, making it the hottest day of the season so far,” the expert said.Independent weather forecaster Abhijit Modak said the temperature rise was expected as part of the seasonal transition. “Temperatures began climbing after April 10, as forecast. Lohegaon has now recorded 40.6°C, the highest this season, while Shivajinagar stands at 39°C. This is typical summer behaviour, driven by hot and dry northwesterly winds from Gujarat and Rajasthan in the absence of any active weather system,” he said.Modak said the warming trend was likely to persist through the week. “Shivajinagar is expected to record temperatures between 40°C and 41°C, while Lohegaon may touch 41°C to 42°C on certain days. Generally, Lohegaon remains 1-2 degrees warmer than Shivajinagar,” he said.IMD’s local forecast also indicated no respite from the heat, with maximum temperatures expected to continue rising. There is no rainfall predicted for Pune or most parts of Maharashtra over the next week, suggesting prolonged dry and hot conditions.Across Maharashtra, several regions are experiencing similar heat stress. Akola in Vidarbha recorded a high of 42°C, among the highest temperatures in the state, while many interior districts crossed the 40°C mark. Western Maharashtra, including Pune, Satara and Sangli, reported temperatures in the 39-41°C range. Meanwhile, coastal regions remained relatively cooler at 34-35°C due to the moderating influence of the sea.
