Mumbai Heatwave Alert: IMD Issues First Warning as City Hits 38.9°C
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued the season's first heatwave warning for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar on Thursday, as the city recorded its highest maximum temperature of the year at 38.9°C. This alert comes amid a significant temperature spike, with conditions expected to remain hot and humid in the coming days.
Immediate Relief Unlikely as Hot Conditions Persist
Immediate relief from the heat is not anticipated, as the IMD has also issued a "hot and humid" alert for Friday, extending to Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. While temperatures are forecast to dip slightly over the weekend to around 35°C, officials have cautioned that this decrease may be temporary. Forecast models indicate another sharp rise in daytime temperatures is likely around March 11, suggesting prolonged heat stress for residents.
Causes of the Temperature Spike
IMD scientist Sushma Nair explained that the spike in temperatures is due to an anticyclone over south Gujarat and neighbouring areas, which has pushed hot air into the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). She noted that such temperature surges are not unusual during the seasonal transition from winter to summer. "With moisture levels in the air still relatively low and dry northerly winds pushing into MMR, brief surges in temperature are common during this period," she said.
Historical Context and Heatwave Criteria
According to IMD records, Mumbai's highest-ever temperature for March was 41.7°C, recorded on March 28, 1956. A heatwave is officially declared when temperatures reach 37°C or more for two consecutive days. On Wednesday, the city recorded a daytime temperature of 38.7°C, and Thursday's high, measured at the Santacruz weather station, was 5.9°C above normal readings. The Colaba observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 36.2°C, which is 3.4°C above normal.
Experts indicated that the city likely experienced a heatwave on Wednesday as well, when a hot and humid warning was issued, but an official alert was not declared because it did not meet the IMD's strict criteria for consecutive days.
Minimum Temperatures and Humidity Levels
Minimum temperatures were also elevated, with the Colaba and Santacruz observatories recording 24°C and 22°C, respectively—both about 2°C above normal. Relative humidity levels logged by these stations were 55% and 59%, respectively. The IMD has forecast that minimum temperatures will continue to hover around 22°C this weekend, contributing to uncomfortable nighttime conditions.
Broader Implications and Expert Insights
This heatwave warning highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in urban areas like Mumbai, potentially linked to broader climate change trends. Residents are advised to take precautions, such as staying hydrated and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, as the heat persists. The IMD's alerts serve as a critical tool for public health and safety during such episodes.
