Despite a brief reprieve, Mumbai’s heatwave conditions are set to intensify, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a sharp rise in temperatures to over 37 degrees Celsius between Saturday and Monday. The city has been issued a yellow warning for hot and humid conditions, and temperatures are expected to gradually increase from Saturday, potentially reaching 39 degrees Celsius by Monday. This surge follows a record-shattering heatwave last week, during which temperatures soared to 39.7 degrees on April 16, marking the hottest April day in Mumbai in over a decade.
While no heatwave warning has been issued yet, IMD officials have stated that an alert will be sounded if temperatures surpass 37 degrees for two consecutive days in coastal regions or 40 degrees Celsius in interior areas. This spike in temperatures has raised concerns among Mumbaikars, who are already reeling under the oppressive humidity.
Experts from IMD Mumbai have attributed the rising temperatures to a combination of factors, including climate change and increased concretization. They have also predicted that Maharashtra will experience more heatwaves this season until the onset of the monsoon.
In light of the ongoing election campaigns and phased voting during the summer, the IMD Mumbai has been providing daily impact-based forecasts to district collectors and election officers to ensure necessary precautions are taken.
