Step outside in Pune right now, and you’ll swear someone left the city in a giant oven. The roads are melting, wada pav vendors are selling water bottles faster than snacks, and even the crows are panting. With temperatures hitting 39.6°C in Lohegaon this week—just shy of 40°C—Pune’s famous “Queen of the Deccan” charm is dripping away faster than an ice cream on Jangli Maharaj Road. What’s going on? Let’s unpack this garmi chaos.
1. March Madness: Since When Did Pune Turn into Rajasthan?
Last week, my cousin in Kothrud joked, “AC nahi hai? RIP.” Turns out, he wasn’t wrong.
- Lohegaon: 39.6°C (Feels like 43°C with humidity). Army airport staff are reportedly using runway heat to fry eggs.
- Chinchwad: Auto drivers charging extra for “AC rides” (read: windows rolled down).
- Lavale: College students skipping lectures to nap under trees. Priorities, right?
Shock Factor: March temps usually hover around 32°C. This year? It’s like Pune swapped weather charts with Nagpur.
2. Blame Game: Concrete Jungles & Missing Trees
Meet Rajesh, a rickshaw driver from Shivajinagar:
“Yeh heat island wala effect hai na? Society mein 3 trees kaat diye, ab garmi se pet dukh raha hai.”
Urban Heat Islands:
- Pimple Saudagar: New apartments = less green cover = 5°C hotter than rural Khadakwasla.
- FC Road: Pavements so hot, pigeons are hopping on chappals.
- PMC’s Promise: “10,000 saplings by June!” (Spoiler: They planted 2,000 last year.)
3. Survival Guide: How Pune is Coping (or Not)
- Water Wars: Tanker rates doubled in Undri. “Abhi 1,000rs for 5,000 liters,” says resident Priya Deshpande.
- Power Cuts: Hadapsar faces 6-hour outages. Meme pages joke: “No AC, no fan… just swas (breath) yoga.”
- Heat Hacks:
- Dukaan tip: Wrap your phone in a gamcha to prevent overheating.
- Best time to travel? 4 AM. Yes, really.
4. Expert Talk: “This is Just the Start”
I called up Dr. Anil Kumar, a local meteorologist:
“El Niño + deforestation = recipe for disaster. April could hit 45°C. Buy a cooler, not a sweater.”
Scary Forecast:
- March 10–12: First 40°C expected in Lohegaon.
- Farmers Alert: Onion crops in Narayangaon wilting. “50% yield loss if no rain,” warns Agri dept.
5. What You Can Do (Besides Complain)
- DIY Coolers: Hang wet khus mats on windows—grandma’s trick still works.
- Avoid Peak Hours: 11 AM–4 PM is hell. Shift walks to 6 AM (good luck waking up).
- Check on Elders: Senior citizens in Kasba Peth are struggling. Drop off chaas or ORS.
🌞 “How are YOU beating the heat? Share your hacks—best tip wins a free kokum sherbet from Kayani Bakery!”
About The Author
