The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune, has issued an orange alert for the city as relentless May rains continue to batter the region. This year, May has made history with near-daily rainfall, fluctuating between high and low intensity, disrupting life across Pune and its outskirts.

For several days now, residents have struggled with massive traffic snarls, severe waterlogging, tree and hoarding collapses, and frequent power outages. The city’s unpreparedness has drawn sharp criticism, as the existing infrastructure buckles under pressure.