Unseasonal and intense rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning, and hailstorms brought Pune city and its adjoining regions close to a standstill. Large parts of the city witnessed severe waterlogging, poor visibility and widespread disruption to daily life on Thursday. Pune witnessed this unusual spell of pre-monsoon-like weather in peak summer, recently, with several areas waterlogged. A flower seller lost her life sheltering under a tree during the downpour, only to have the tree fall on her.

This is a wake-up call for Mumbai, calling for quicker rain readiness, given weather patterns that are now highly unpredictable. If needed, there should be de-clogging of drains and gutters, beginning now. Start repairing roads, especially patches that need urgent attention, so that they do not fall apart in the monsoon, and the tiresome pothole pain saga begins. We need repairs now and filling up of areas.