In Mumbai, IMD sounds ‘heatwave’ alert as mercury expected to soar over 38 degrees Celsius

According to the weather bureau, both the day and night time temperatures are predicted to further spike and hover over 38 degrees starting from Sunday, nearly five degrees above the normal, nudging the IMD to announce a heatwave between Sunday (March 9) and Tuesday (March 11).

For the record, a heatwave in Mumbai is typically sounded when its two IMD observatories record daytime temperatures of over 37 degrees for at least two consecutive days. This is the city’s second heatwave event of the season, coming along the heels of another heatwave which was declared between February 25 and 26.

In its advisory, the weather bureau has urged citizens to avoid prolonged exposure to heat, drink water to avoid dehydration while wearing loose, cotton clothes and covering the head. The department has advised that residents must identify the signs of heat stroke, heat rash and cramps such as weakness, dizziness, nausea and consult a doctor immediately upon feeling faint or ill.