After a brief cold spell, day temperature spikes to 34 degrees in Mumbai

As per records, the city’s warmest December day was recorded in 1987 at 39.8 degrees while its coldest day was logged in 1949 at 10.6 degrees.

Independent weather observer, Athreya Shetty told The Indian Express, “Previously, we were receiving colder northerly winds. By late Monday, the direction changed and we switched to easterly winds which led a rise in temperatures. However, the rise in temperatures has been gradual in that we have not seen a sudden spike in temperatures.”

Despite the spike in temperatures, the air quality in Mumbai deteriorated on Wednesday with Chembur in the eastern suburbs recording the worst AQI at 239, which is categorised as poor. Records from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that while the city’s overall air quality remained at 113 until Tuesday morning, the AQI spiked to 137 on Wednesday afternoon. Of the 20 stations which were active on Wednesday, the worst AQI was logged at 239 in Chembur, followed by a high AQI of 196 in Ghatkopar, 169 in BKC and 167 in Malad West.

However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday maintained that the city’s air quality had improved significantly during the month, as against the previous year. In a statement issued by the civic body, officials said that between December 1 and December 16, BMC issued 353 show cause notices at construction sites while 121 stop work notices were issued. “Besides this, deep cleaning with ester tanker was done across 376 places, while spraying with misting machines was carried out at 253 places. Owing to these measures, there has been a significant improvement in air quality this winter with the AQI remaining in the moderate category,” a senior official said.