Maharashtra Weather Update: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that Maharashtra, particularly the Konkan area, is expected to get continuous heavy rainfall over the next several days as a developing weather system over the Arabian Sea strengthens.

An upper-air cyclonic circulation that is now spreading up to the mid-troposphere over the east-central Arabian Sea off the beaches of north Karnataka and Goa is expected to develop into a low-pressure system by Thursday, according to an IMD forecast. The system was expected to travel north and deepen into a depression by Friday, according to the weather department.

"Though a low-pressure area may form over the Arabian Sea, the higher impact will be felt in north Konkan and not much in the interiors. We are in the wait-and-watch mode," an IMD official told TOI.

The meteorological service forecast moderately widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall across the Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph from May 21-25.

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Pune On Orange Alert

An orange alert has been issued for Pune for the next two days, citing "thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) along with moderate to heavy rain" as per the forecast.

The official said, "Thursday and Friday are likely to see thundershowers even in Pune city, after which the activity will reduce for both Pune and Maharashtra as a whole. We have, however, not ruled out a heavy spell for isolated areas in Pune over the next couple of days."

In Pune, Kolhapur, and Satara, the IMD has issued warnings for the ghat areas, anticipating severe to extremely heavy rains along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 50–60 kmph in some areas.