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The temperature recorded was 39.7 degrees which is 6.3 degrees above normal
Mumbai experienced its first heat wave of 2024 on April 16, with Santacruz Observatory recording a maximum temperature of 39.7 degrees which is 6.3 degrees above normal. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a heatwave warning for Mumbai, Raigad and Thane for April 16 and 17. According to officials from IMD, Mumbai, heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in the districts of North Konkan for tomorrow, including Mumbai.
Mumbai sizzled at a maximum temperature of 39.7 degree Celsius on Tuesday, making it the city’s hottest day in April the past decade. As scalding heat gripped citizens, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared an orange ‘severe heatwave’ alert for the city on Tuesday, alongside extending the heatwave warning into Wednesday. At 27.8 degrees, the city also recorded its hottest night of the year so far on Monday night.
Shattering a decade old record, the IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 39.7 degree Celsius, which indicated an anomalous rise of nearly 6.5 degrees above the normal. Before this, the city had recorded its hottest day of April in 2014, when the maximum temperatures spiked to 39 degree Celsius.
For Mumbaikars, the nightfall brought no relief either, as the city, on Monday night, recorded its hottest night of the year so far with the minimum temperatures hovering at 27.5 degrees in the city’s suburbs, while the coastal observatory in Colaba registered a minimum of 27.8 degrees.
According to meteorologists, the city is experiencing hot day and night temperatures due to a cyclonic circulation over Central Maharashtra, resulting in the influx of easterly winds. Attributing the spike to these easterlies, experts have said that the temperature is expected to oscillate between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius until Wednesday at least.
The sudden spike of temperatures this week is a harbinger of what lies in store for the city, with IMD scientists indicating that more heatwaves are likely to sweep the entire state this summer.
Read more: Heatwave grips south Bengal as state heads to polls on April 19