Heavy Rain Turns Pune-Solapur Highway Into River as Monsoon Hits Maharashtra Early
Heavy rainfall triggered by the early arrival of the southwest monsoon has brought traffic to a standstill on the Pune-Solapur highway. Inundated by floodwaters, the key route resembled a flowing river on Sunday, forcing emergency response teams into action as cars were washed away and commuters stranded.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the monsoon reached Maharashtra on Sunday, May 26 — the earliest it has arrived in 35 years. In 1990, the monsoon had reached the state on May 20.
Multiple viral videos circulating online show shocking scenes of vehicles being dragged by powerful flood currents, with locals and rescue workers struggling to control the situation. Officials are working to drain water from affected stretches and clear the traffic buildup.
“The situation is serious along parts of the Pune-Solapur highway. We have deployed disaster response teams and are advising citizens to avoid unnecessary travel until the water levels recede,” said a senior district official.
According to the IMD, pre-monsoon activity has intensified across the Konkan coast, including Mumbai, which has already seen heavy rainfall over the last 48 hours. The weather department has warned of more showers across central and coastal Maharashtra in the next 24 to 72 hours.
“Conditions are favourable for further advance into more parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, over the next three days,” IMD scientist Sushma Nair told news agency PTI.
The early onset of the monsoon has caught many commuters and authorities off guard. Eyewitnesses described chaos on the highways, with vehicles stranded and people trying to wade through knee-deep water.
“One moment it was raining, and the next, the road turned into a stream. We were stuck for over two hours. It was scary,” said Akash Joshi, a commuter who got stranded near Indapur.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is coordinating with police and emergency services to redirect traffic where possible and mitigate further risk.
This year, the southwest monsoon also hit Kerala early, arriving on May 25 — ahead of the usual June 1 timeline. The IMD expects the rain to cover Mumbai and large parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and northeastern states within three days.
Usually, the monsoon reaches Maharashtra around June 7 and Mumbai by June 11. It retreats from northwest India by September 17 and completely withdraws by October 15.
