IMD Data Highlights Unusual Dry Spell Across Maharashtra
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has identified a pattern of dry winter conditions affecting several districts in Maharashtra, including Pune. Analyses for the period ending December 2025 show these areas are characterised by notably low humidity levels, colder air, and weak evaporation rates.
Key Districts Slipping into Dryness
According to the IMD's district-level assessments released on Saturday, multiple regions have entered a phase of mild to moderate dryness. The districts of Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Satara, Beed, and Parbhani are notably impacted. Meteorologists state this trend is typical for an unusually cold and dry winter season.
The department's latest maps for indices like the Aridity Anomaly Index, Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), and Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) confirm this development. Specifically, data for December 18-31, 2025, showed these districts already recording dry conditions. The Aridity Index, which measures water stress on plants due to insufficient moisture, highlighted the issue.
Causes and Expert Analysis
An IMD scientist explained the situation, attributing it to limited rainfall, minimal transport of moisture, and reduced evaporation from soil and water bodies under cold conditions. This is occurring despite reservoirs remaining well-stocked following a satisfactory monsoon.
Satyaban Bishoyi Ratna, senior scientist and head of IMD's Climate Applications and User Interface Division in Pune, provided context. He noted that December is typically a dry month in Maharashtra. The mild to moderate SPI dryness primarily reflects the absence of rainfall, which is normal for the season and does not indicate a drought. However, the moderate to strong SPEI dryness in some districts is driven by sunny days and dry air, which accelerate moisture loss from the land, even amidst cooler nights.
Implications for Health and Resources
Experts have raised flags about the potential consequences of these conditions. The cold, dry air can exacerbate respiratory illnesses and trap pollutants closer to the surface, worsening air quality. Pune and nearby urban areas have already reported increasing pollution levels in recent weeks.
A former IMD scientist pointed out that IMD's outlook for January 2026 suggests colder-than-normal conditions may persist. This could prolong the dry winter, posing significant discomfort for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues.
Regarding resources, the senior scientist clarified that the current conditions are not significantly affecting crops, drinking water supplies, or reservoir levels, so there is no immediate alarm. However, he issued a caution: If the dryness continues over the next couple of months, it could increase demand for irrigation, gradually deplete soil moisture, and put pressure on groundwater resources. This would be particularly concerning for rain-fed and water-scarce districts. The ultimate impact, he added, will depend on how weather patterns evolve in the coming weeks.
