October heat scorches Mumbai at 37.8°C

MUMBAI: Mercury continued to climb steadily for the third consecutive day as maximum temperatures touched 37.8° Celsius, almost 5.8° above normal, making Sunday the second hottest day in October in a decade. The highest maximum temperature recorded in the month of October was 38.6°C in 2015.



Ajay Kumar, scientist from India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai, said the easterly winds had caused the rise in maximum temperatures but a drop was expected in the coming week. “We have forecast light rain or thundershowers,” Kumar added.

According to experts, extreme temperatures are increasing across the globe owing to global warming. “A recent analysis has found that Mumbai now has fewer monsoon days compared to 20-30 years ago. With more precipitation taking place on lesser number of days, temperatures are likely to rise. So, in October, there is high moisture, low wind and the sun is strong. Moisture actually retains more heat,” explained Rakesh Kumar, director, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. “All this indicates the climate change phenomenon. We used to predict that it would happen after 2050, but we are already experiencing it,” he added.

According to Subimal Ghosh, associate professor at IIT-Bombay, the urban heat island is another factor causing many to swelter under the October heat. “In urban region, extreme temperatures will be further intensified because of urban structures, like buildings and roads. In any urban area, where there is the urban heat island impact and one reduces the garden area or vegetative area, temperatures are known to rise,” he added.

The maximum temperature recorded by the Colaba observatory was 37°C, which was 5.4° above normal, and by the Santacruz observatory was 37.8°C, which was 5.8° above normal. Sunday’s maximum temperatures were higher compared to Saturday when the Colaba and Santacruz observatories recorded 36.6°C and 37.2°C respectively.

Most Mumbaikars are reluctant to leave home owing to this ‘unbearable’ heat. Mulund resident Mithali Dhole said, “I have started carrying a scarf, sunglasses and an umbrella. The October heat seems to have started early this year with there being no heavy rains in the past two months.” The IMD had announced the withdrawal of southwest monsoon from Mumbai on October 7; last year, it was announced on October 24.

On Sunday, the humidity levels recorded by the Colaba and Santacruz observatories were moderate at 77% and 56% respectively, and the minimum temperatures recorded were 26.5°C—1.4° above normal—and 25.3°C—0.2° above normal—respectively.