VIDEOS: Thunder, Lightning & Heavy Rain Lash Pune; IMD Issues Orange Alert

Pune experienced pre-monsoon showers that brought severe thunder, strong winds, and lightning, disrupting normal life on Sunday. Few parts of the city faced power outages as falling trees damaged Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) connections.

Few commuters, including students, found themselves stranded due to the sudden downpour while they were on their way home on the weekend. It rained with thunderstorms in Shivajinagar, FC Road, SB Road, Pashan, the Peth areas, Aundh, Baner, Khadki, and around Pune Station.

Former IMD scientist Anupam Kashyapi said, "It’s raining in Pune. An orange alert is in place for the next 48 hours in and around the city. Poor visibility, moderate to intense rain, lightning, and thunder—all typical pre-monsoon features—indicate the approaching signs of Monsoon 2025. Drive slowly on slippery roads. Never stand under trees or in open spaces. Stay safe."

Intense thunderstorm formation seen over pcmc, chakan, chinchwad area #punerains pic.twitter.com/KEhD1Z5iDn

— vineet kumar (@vineet_mausam) May 18, 2025

It's raining Pune. Orange alert for current 48 hrs in & around Pune.Poor visibility , moderate intense rain, lightning,thunder-all pre-monsoon features are present indicates approaching sign of Monsoon2025.On slippery road drive slowly.Never stand under tree or in open. Be safe. pic.twitter.com/IZA25j5oAV

— Anupam Kashyapi Never B Upset (@anupamkashyapi) May 18, 2025

पुणे is puneying pic.twitter.com/jqaA8RJDv1

— nipun mahajan (@NiPuN_045) May 18, 2025

Heavy rains in Pune since half an hour. More rains expected in many areas of Pune. #PuneRains pic.twitter.com/VaW3vZgAzC

— Mumbai Rains (@rushikesh_agre_) May 18, 2025

#PuneRains has monsoon arrived in #Pune early this year?? Temp. has dropped, it pours everyday. Roads are waterlogged. Traffic chaos at all major roads. pic.twitter.com/eMiMSjeTSL

— Bony Uppal ਬੋਨੀ ਉੱਪਲ (@bonyuppal) May 18, 2025

First heavy rain and the NH48 thru #Pune is choked! #traffic #mismanagement pic.twitter.com/oxkuAOygxx

— Ankit Rai (@ithebiker) May 18, 2025

Pune traffic BC 🤬 pic.twitter.com/dfmGWA44TT

— Ram 🔺 (@shriramX7) May 18, 2025

Intense heavy rain for 45 mins in sus gaon pune today #pune #PuneRains #punerain pic.twitter.com/bLEkVgHora

— Pra (@PratikB06) May 18, 2025

The city was plagued with waterlogging, extensive traffic jams, and few fallen trees, making travel challenging in several areas.