Mumbai sizzles as max temperature stays above 36°C for 20 days

Marine Drive is shrouded in smog. The high temperatures have been accompanied by humidity and smoggy air. Pic/Satej Shinde

The city has logged a maximum temperature of over 36°C for 20 days at a stretch up to November 5, with increasing humidity, discomfort and smoggy polluted air. However, some respite is expected as meteorologists have predicted thundershowers from November 8 to November 10 in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The light rain activity will wash away pollutants and dust and reduce haze, improving the air quality in the city and adjoining areas. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Vagaries of Weather, a popular private weather blog, starting Tuesday, November 7, there will be increased cloudiness in Pune. Pune is also likely to witness rain/thundershowers possibly from Wednesday, November 8, to Saturday, November 11.

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"Low pressure forming in the Arabian Sea could bring some rain in Mumbai from Wednesday to Friday. Day temperatures may drop a little because of clouds and rain activity, but night temperatures are likely to increase. It won't feel like winter till Friday or Saturday," said Rajesh Kapadia of Vagaries of Weather.

Meanwhile, in Konkan, Madhya (central) Maharashtra and Goa, the intensity and spread of rainfall is to increase from Tuesday and Wednesday. "Districts such as Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, and Satara can get some moderate to heavy showers. Light to moderate showers are also possible in parts of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Sangli, and Solapur districts. Meanwhile, in the Marathwada region, there are chances of light rain in the districts of Latur, Dharashiv, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, and Nanded. A few localised areas can see moderate showers," Kapadia said.

The maximum daytime temperature recorded on Monday at IMD's Santacruz observatory was 34.4°C, with a relative humidity of 78 per cent. Colaba observatory, meanwhile, recorded a maximum temperature of 34.6°C with a relative humidity of 86 per cent.

Meanwhile, the city once again witnessed a blanket of smog, especially in the western suburbs on Monday. As per the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) SAMEER app, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Mumbai on Monday evening was 191. Many AQI stations manned by IITM/SAFAR and MPCB recorded AQI values in poor and very poor categories on Monday.

The worst AQI value was recorded at Deonar (IITM/SAFAR) at 270, followed by Mulund West (MPCB) at 265, Malad West (IITM/SAFAR) at 246, Chembur (MPCB) Kandivli East (MPCB) at 236, Sion (MPCB) at 232, Colaba (MPCB) at 222, Bandra Kurla Complex (MPCB) at 220, Vile Parle West (MPCB) at 216, Worli (MPCB) at 215, and Powai (MPCB) at 205.

191
City's overall AQI on Monday