IMD weather forecast: Maharashtra to witness heavy rains till Monday

Predicting heavy rains in most parts of Maharashtra, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said there would be widespread rainfall activity on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, adding that there could be slight variations in the intensity, but there would be good spells of showers. The department, however, said Vidarbha region would get scattered rainfall in some pockets over the next four days.

The south-west monsoon reached parts of south Konkan, Goa and South-Madhya Maharashtra on Thursday. According to IMD officials, in the last 24 hours, isolated parts of Goa and Konkan received heavy rains, whereas parts of central Maharashtra and Marathwada received moderate rainfall. They said that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Pune and neighbourhood on Sunday.

The Maharashtra government on Friday evening issued an advisory to caution about the increased activity in the Arabian sea, adding "There will be thunderstorms followed by heavy spells of rain over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada...Farmers are advised not to rush with sowing if there isn't enough moisture." 

It further said that there is going to be a break in monsoon after June 26. Hence, farmers should take a decision only after the rains revive following the dry spell.