Mumbai: Mumbai is experiencing persistent heat, with maximum temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius for the second consecutive day this week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the elevated temperatures to easterly winds but predicts a dip in temperatures in the coming days, along with the possibility of thunderstorms and light rain.
In the neighbouring districts of Thane and Raigad, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Wednesday, indicating the likelihood of moderate rains accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds. On Tuesday, the maximum temperature at the IMD’s Santacruz observatory reached 36.4 degrees, while the Colaba coastal station recorded 33.4 degrees. This follows a day when temperatures in the suburbs peaked at 36.5 degrees.
Sushma Nair, a scientist at IMD Mumbai, explained, “The rise in temperatures is due to a change in wind direction, primarily influenced by easterlies. While temperatures may decrease and hover around 34 degrees in the coming days, there is potential for them to rise again,” as quoted by The Indian Express.
Such rising temperatures, coupled with a lack of rainfall, are not unusual for October. Historical data from the IMD indicates that the hottest October day recorded in the past decade reached 38.6 degrees in 2015.
As the city prepares for the withdrawal of the monsoon, the weather department has also forecast thunderstorms and light rain starting Wednesday. Although the official date for monsoon withdrawal in Mumbai is October 10, meteorologists suggest that the process may be slightly delayed this year. So far, the line marking the southwest monsoon withdrawal has only crossed one district of Maharashtra, which it entered on October 5.
Weekly Forecast Table
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there is some possibility of rain or thunderstorms on October 13, 14, as per the latest forecast.