With the temperatures already soaring, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the temperature will rise from Thursday, with mercury levels likely to touch 36 degrees Celsius.
SG Kamble, scientist, IMD Mumbai told Hindustan Times, “Thundershowers across isolated areas within the Maharashtra and surrounding states have resulted in northwesterly winds moving at high speed over Mumbai. They have dispersed pollutants from the surface, allowing air quality to improve. However, we expect a change in wind pattern from Thursday, leading to a spike in day temperatures.”
On Wednesday, the maximum temperature in south Mumbai was 32.8 degrees Celsius and 33.1 degrees Celsius in the suburbs, both close to the normal mark. On the other hand, the minimum temperature in south Mumbai was 26.8 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degree Celsius above normal and 25 degrees Celsius in Santacruz, 0.7 degree Celsius above normal.
According to the Hindustan Times, on Wednesday, the air quality index (AQI) was 100 (satisfactory) and is expected to be 102 (moderate) on Thursday. The system of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded air quality in Mumbai at 10 locations. From this, BKC was the most polluted with an AQI of 162, followed by Navi Mumbai at 153, Malad 126, Andheri 112, and Colaba 102 — all under ‘moderate’ category. The cleanest air was at Borivli at 47 (good).