Tamhini Ghat Records Highest Monsoon Rainfall, Soaking Up 9,109 mm
The Tamhini station has recorded 9,109 mm rainfall between June 1 and September 23, the highest reported at any India Meteorological Department (IMD) station in the country this monsoon. The figure has made the mountain pass in Pune district India’s wettest place once again.
Other parts of Pune’s ghat section have also recorded heavy rainfall ranging between 5,000 mm and 7,000 mm. This significant precipitation has raised concerns and sparked interest among weather experts and local residents alike.
For the second year in a row, Tamhini has surpassed Cherrapunji, traditionally known as the wettest location in India. In 2024, Tamhini logged 9,644 mm rainfall during the monsoon season, compared to 7,303.7 mm at the tourist town in Meghalaya. This year too, the gap is striking—while Tamhini has already received 9,109 mm of rainfall till September 23, Cherrapunji has recorded only 4,217 mm.
Weather experts have called for further study to understand the reasons behind the extreme rainfall in Tamhini, even as they expressed concern over the declining rainfall trend in Cherrapunji and across the Northeast. SD Sanap, senior meteorologist at IMD Pune, had said, “One possible reason for such high rainfall in Tamhini is its elevation above sea level. The Sahyadri Range creates strong convergence over the region, leading to exceptionally dense cloud masses, particularly around the ghat section. This results in very heavy rainfall. In addition, the monsoon flow from the Arabian Sea and the development of weather systems also play a significant role in the unusually high rainfall seen in Pune’s ghat areas, especially Tamhini.”
Colour-coded alerts have been issued with yellow alert for most districts of Maharashtra, including Pune city, for light to moderate rainfall for September 24–27; orange alert for Ratnagiri district and the ghat areas of Satara and Kolhapur for September 26; and orange alert extended to Dharashiv, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and the ghat regions of Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur for September 27.
The high rainfall has not only impacted the local ecosystem but also posed challenges for the residents and infrastructure in the region. Authorities are on high alert to manage the potential risks and ensure the safety of the local population.
