Mumbai logs hottest day of October at 36.4 degrees Celsius

A woman covers her face with scarf/ Pradeep Dhivar

On Wednesday, Mumbai recorded an unseasonable high temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature reading for the month of October in the year 2023, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to a report in the PTI, the Santacruz observatory of the IMD, responsible for monitoring temperature and other meteorological conditions in Mumbai's suburbs, reported a temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius, an exceptional occurrence for this time of the year.

IMD scientist Sushma Nair stated, "This is the highest temperature recorded this season for the month of October."

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In contrast, the Colaba observatory, which tracks temperature and other weather-related data for the island city, documented a maximum temperature of 33.2 degrees Celsius, as reported by the IMD.

The metropolitan region has been burdened with high humidity levels, exacerbating the discomfort brought on by the unusual heat, particularly during daylight hours.

For context, the hottest day ever recorded in October was on October 17, 2015, when the temperature had soared to 38.6 degrees Celsius, noted Nair.

Mumbai AQI worse than Delhi's

The worsening air quality of the city has also become a concern for authorities as the city's air on Wednesday wast in 'moderate' category of the Air Quality Index (AQI) with a thick blanket of mist engulfing Mumbai. This, officials told PTI, has been prevalent for the last three to four days.

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said that the city's PM10 level at 6 pm was at 143 against 122 in Delhi.

IMD official Sushma Nair said, "There is availability of moisture, anti-cyclonic wind circulation which does not allow the wind to ascend. The anti-cyclone is right over Mumbai." She added that moisture gets stuck in the air due to it.