Maharashtra is reeling under a relentless heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C across 18 districts. Akola hit 44.5°C, the highest in the state. Daily life is disrupted as residents battle dehydration, sleepless nights, and health risks. Relief remains unlikely, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience and sustainable urban planning.
Mrudula Narale
Pune – The state of Maharashtra is under an unrelenting heatwave with temperatures crossing the 40°C mark in many districts, making everyday life an ordeal against the scorching sun. Shivajinagar in Pune showed a sizzling 40.8°C on Monday, with Lohegaon reaching a high of 42.6°C. The India Meteorological Department said that at least 18 places in the state crossed the 40°C mark, with Akola in Vidarbha scorching at a record 44.5°C—the highest in the state. Other areas, such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (42.4°C), Yavatmal (42.9°C), and Amravati (42.8°C), are also struggling with the stifling heat, forcing residents to look longingly for relief.
For Maharashtrians, the heatwave has turned mundane tasks into tiresome trials. Between 11 am and 5 pm, the time when the sun is in its strongest heat, going outdoors is like walking into an oven. In Koregaon Park, Pune, residents are forced to carry water bottles and wet towels to cool themselves, and others are losing sleep and can’t concentrate at work or during studies because of the suffocating heat which lingers on even after nightfall. The heat is more than an inconvenience—it’s wreaking havoc on lives, stretching patience, and putting pressure on resources as households struggle to survive.
The prognosis is bleak in terms of instant relief. Climatologists foresee the hot conditions persisting at least through the next five days, with the temperature in parts of the state holding firm in the high zone. There’s a slim drop of 2-3°C anticipated in a few regions, but it’ll hardly be meaningful. In Vidarbha, parts of Akola, Amravati, and Nagpur are likely to witness thunderstorms with gusty winds gusting to 30-40 kmph, indicating a little atmospheric movement. But as far as Pune and the rest of Maharashtra goes, the day will be clear, with none of the refreshing rains to bless the dry ground.
In Pune, the weather during the daytime is likely to fluctuate from 40-42°C, with nights yielding no more than a marginal break at 21-22°C. The absence of any significant weather change means residents must brace for more days of unrelenting heat. The elderly, children, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable, facing heightened risks of dehydration and heatstroke. Across the state, people are adapting as best they can—seeking shade, staying hydrated, and avoiding unnecessary exposure during peak hours—but the prolonged heatwave is testing everyone’s endurance.
This severe weather condition highlights the intensifying issue of climate variability in Maharashtra, where rising temperatures are increasingly becoming frequent and intense. While cities like Pune and rural districts as well experience the burning heat, the heatwave comes as a rude reminder of the need for environmentally sustainable solutions ranging from improved urban planning to public health initiatives. For now, Maharashtra’s residents can only hold on, hoping for cooler days ahead while navigating a world that feels hotter by the day.