Mumbai’s max temperature touches 40.3 degrees, and it could get worse in 24 hours
Monday’s temperature was 7 degrees above normal (Picture Courtesy: odishasamaya.com)
After a sweltering Sunday, Mumbaikars had to brace for an even hotter Monday as temperatures soared to a staggering 40 degrees during the day.
India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, seven degrees above normal. What’s worse, IMD’s 24-hour forecast has pegged the levels to touch 42 degrees.
The minimum temperature, in contrast, stood at 22.0 degrees.
The meteoric rise comes a day after temperatures started soaring in the city. On Sunday, IMD’s Santacruz and Colaba observatories recorded maximum temperatures of 36.7 and 33.5 degrees Celsius respectively.
The weather department had forecast an increase in mercury levels following a change in wind direction from existing north-westerly to westerly into easterly and low humidity in the city.
Mercury levels could soar to 42 degrees in the next 24 hours (Picture via IMD)
The relative humidity also fell to 26 percent today, data from Santacruz observatory (recorded at 5:30) pm showed.
According to K S Hosalikar, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, IMD Mumbai, similar conditions are expected to prevail for the next 48 hours.
“Situation is likely to continue for the next two days as per the model guidance. Take care and though it would be working days, avoid more exposure,” he said.
The summer arrived a little late in Mumbai this year and mercury levels remained manageable for the better part of March thanks to a slowly receding winter. But, with levels soaring above 40 degrees, worse conditions may be in store for the next two months.
Last year, the highest temperature of the season was recorded on March 26, 2018, when the levels reached 41 degrees Celsius. The all-time highest temperature in March was recorded on March 28, 1956, when it touched 41.7 degrees.
