Mumbai: After a sweltering Sunday, Mumbaikars had to weather a hotter Monday, as temperatures soared to a staggering 40.3 degrees during the day, seven degrees Celsius above normal.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), this is the highest maximum temperature recorded for a month.Last year, too, the highest temperature of the season was recorded on March 26, 2018, at 41 degrees Celsius. The all-time highest temperature was recorded on March 28, 1956, when it touched 41.7 degrees.
According to KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General, IMD, similar conditions are expected to prevail for the next 48 hours. “The situation is likely to continue for the next two days as per weather models. People should take care and avoid more exposure to the elements than is necessary,” he cautioned.
The maximum temperature recorded by the IMD Santacruz observatory was 36.7 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above normal while at Colaba, the maximum temperature recorded was 33.5 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature, in contrast, stood at 22.0 degrees Celsius, which is the normal. Relative humidity also fell to 26 per cent during day.
According to private agency Skymet Weather, summer has been tardy in reaching Mumbai this year and Mercury levels remained manageable for the better part of March. “Mumbai may reach the 38 to 40 degrees Celsius mark during the next 72 hours. Relief from the hot spell will come only after March 27,” said an official.
Meanwhile, #Mumbai heat was trending on Twitter.“#mumbaikars did you feel unusually hot today? Because #mumbai recorded maximum temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius today, 7 degrees above normal #Mumbaiweather #Mumbaiheat.”
