Mumbai is set to witness a revival of rainfall and thunderstorms, starting Thursday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stating that rain activity is likely to continue until October 20. However, the showers are unlikely to bring down heat levels as temperatures are forecast to hover over 35°C throughout the coming week. On Tuesday, temperatures continued to soar in Mumbai with IMD records showing that Mumbai was the second-warmest city of Maharashtra, after Ratnagiri. While Ratnagiri, which falls in the Konkan division, logged a high of 35.5°C, Mumbai’s Santacruz observatory logged 35.3°C, which is over 1.6 degrees above the normal. Meanwhile, the Colaba coastal observatory recorded maximum temperatures of 33.7°C during the day. Mumbai has been reeling under above-normal temperatures since the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon, which was declared in Mumbai on October 10. Despite the withdrawal, the IMD has said that the city is set to experience fresh spells of light to moderate showers from Thursday, alongside thunderstorm activity that will continue into the weekend. In the neighbouring Palghar district, the IMD has issued a yellow alert on Friday owing to the possibility of rainfall and thunderstorms alongside gusty winds. Weather experts have attributed the unseasonal showers to the northeastern monsoon currents, which usher in rainfall in the southeastern pockets of India, including Tamil Nadu. Athreya Shetty, an independent weather observer, told The Indian Express, “As the northeastern monsoon currents set in, they are also likely to bring a surge of moisture towards Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the entire Konkan division. Some parts of the city may experience light to moderate showers with thundershowers during the evening period.” However, the showers are unlikely to offer any respite from the scorching heat. Meteorologists warn that the rain activity and influx of moisture will likely increase humidity levels, intensifying discomfort across the city. Mumbai is currently reeling under October heat, a typical phenomenon that sweeps the region after the retreat of the southwest monsoon. Meanwhile, air quality levels continued to remain in the ‘moderate’ category on Wednesday morning, with the overall air quality index (AQI) levels in Mumbai touching 138. Of the city’s 28 monitoring stations, only three recorded ‘satisfactory’ AQI, while two pockets—Bandra Kurla Complex and Deonar—reeled under ‘poor’ AQI over 200.
