Mumbai experienced extreme heat on Tuesday, with the maximum temperature soaring to 39.7 degrees Celsius, marking the hottest day in April over the past decade. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange ‘severe heatwave’ alert for the city, extending the heatwave warning into Wednesday. This scorching weather also led to Mumbai recording its hottest night of the year on Monday, with temperatures hovering around 27.8 degrees Celsius.
The IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded the highest temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius, a significant 6.5-degree rise above normal and breaking the previous April record set in 2014 at 39 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists attribute the hot temperatures to a cyclonic circulation over Central Maharashtra, causing easterly winds to flow into Mumbai. This pattern is expected to persist, keeping temperatures between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius until at least Wednesday.
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IMD scientists predict more heatwaves across Maharashtra this summer, with temperatures likely to be 1-2 degrees above normal until the onset of monsoon in June. Heatwave days are also expected to increase compared to previous years.
While Mumbai and its neighboring districts are facing intense heat, IMD has indicated the possibility of light rain and thunderstorm activity in Thane and Palghar. The warning was issued due to forecasted cloud formation in these areas.
The sudden spike in temperatures serves as a prelude to a potentially hotter summer ahead, urging residents to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to combat the heat.
