Mumbai weather update: IMD issues yellow alerts, hot and humid conditions likely to persist

Pedestrians walk in the scorching heat as temperatures soar across Mumbai. Pics/Atul Kamble

Mumbai is very likely to observe ‘Hot & Humid' days on Wednesday and Thursday, the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Mumbai, said while issuing yellow alerts on Tuesday.

Temperature rise

As per figures reported by the IMD's Santacruz observatory, Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the second-hottest October day in 11 years. This follows Monday, when the mercury rose to 38.2 degrees C, making it Mumbai's hottest October day in the same period.

‘Hot and humid'

The latest warnings add to the IMD's continuous yellow heat alerts for Mumbai, with the streak ongoing since October 8. The consecutive yellow alerts include ‘Hot & Humid' warnings and three ‘Heat Wave' alerts, although an analysis of the actual data puts the figure at four.

Heat criteria

IMD officials say a ‘Heat Wave' in Mumbai is when the maximum temperature is 37 degrees C or more, paired with a departure from normal of 4.5 degrees C or more. Actual figures from the IMD's Santacruz observatory show that four days in October fell into the heatwave category: October 8, 9, 11 and 12.

Safety warning

IMD RMC Mumbai chief Bikram Singh said citizens should take precautions, which is why the IMD issues these warnings. Sharing his expectations, Singh said, "The heat streak should end, with temperatures dipping towards the weekend due to expected Thunderstorm activity in South Konkan and wind flow patterns."