No immediate dip in temperature in sight: How administration is gearing for elections in Mumbai grappling with ‘October Heat’

According to the IMD’s forecast bulletin, maximum temperatures will hover around 35-36 degree Celsius in Mumbai at least until November 15.

Despite the onset of November, the city is in the grip of the ‘October Heat’ with the maximum temperature touching 35.6 degree Celsius in the suburbs on Saturday. (PTI photo)

Grappling under the ‘October Heat’ phenomenon, respite continues to elude Mumbai with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting above-normal maximum temperatures in the Maharashtra capital in the upcoming days.

As the city gears up to cast its vote on November 20 amid searing heat, the district administration alongside IMD have trained their eyes towards enhancing arrangement and forecast in a bid to ensure smooth poll campaigning as well as a comfortable voting experience for voters.

Despite the onset of November, the city is in the grip of the ‘October Heat’ with the maximum temperature touching 35.6 degree Celsius in the suburbs on Saturday. At the same time, the city is also experiencing ‘winter-like’ conditions during early mornings with the minimum temperature dipping to 22 degree Celsius (Santacruz) on Sunday.

However, the nip in the nighttime air has not resulted in any relief from the high day temperatures. According to the IMD’s forecast bulletin, maximum temperatures will hover around 35-36 degree Celsius at least until November 15.

Scientists have attributed the spike in temperature to the delayed influx of winds from the seas pushing the temperature above normal during the afternoons.

“We are issuing updated forecasts during campaigning and ahead of VVIP movements of leaders even in the rural areas across the state. Meanwhile, depending upon the developments, we will issue a detailed forecast 3-4 days in advance, ahead of the day of voting,” said Sunil Kamble, Director, IMD Mumbai.

Rajendra Kshirsagar, Suburban Collector, Mumbai, told The Indian Express that an array of arrangements have been made across polling stations to ensure respite for voters from the high day temperatures.

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“For the comfort of voters, this time, we are providing sheds at polling stations, providing drinking water as well as making provisions for fan facilities. We will be providing chairs along queues. We will also be making a waiting area in case of an excessive crowd, wherein people can wait, and then they will be issued tokens for voting. Furthermore, senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be treated on priority and we will also make the wheelchair facility available for them,” said Kshirsagar.

He added that the increased number of polling booths this time will also improve the ratio of voters, and ensure reduced waiting time.

Marking an increase of 218 polling stations from the Lok Sabha elections conducted in May, nearly 10,111 polling stations have been earmarked in the Mumbai district for the upcoming polls. Of these, 7,539 polling stations are slated to be set up in the suburbs.

“Besides providing voting stations across several residential complexes, we are also setting up almost 229 polling stations in the slum pockets to ensure that voters don’t have to wait in long queues,” Kshirsagar added.

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Earlier this year, when the city went to Lok Sabha polls amid the scorching summer heat on May 20, citizens encountered difficulties ranging from long waiting duration to not finding their names on the electoral list. Many voters had also complained about the lack of shades, shelters, or fans at polling stations.

Nayonika Bose

Nayonika Bose is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau. While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents. Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T) Specialized Focus: Nayonika's reporting is dedicated to civic and community issues, providing readers with highly relevant, ground-level information about the functionality and administration of India's largest metropolitan area. Core Coverage Areas: Her articles highlight a strong focus on the fundamental quality of life and public safety in Mumbai, including: Civic Infrastructure: Reports on critical failures and initiatives related to public works, such as the recurring problem of unauthorized building collapses in Navi Mumbai, the construction of new infrastructure projects (like the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road and the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge), and the maintenance of essential city services (e.g., manhole cover theft). Urban Governance & Crisis Management: Provides detailed coverage of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) response to major crises, particularly during the monsoon (e.g., heavy rainfall, water cuts, and public health concerns like dengue and malaria) and large-scale public safety incidents (e.g., the hoarding collapse fallout). Community Welfare & Rights: Reports on key social issues, including the financial aid scheme for persons with disabilities, the struggles of Mumbai's hawkers protesting eviction drives, and the dangers faced by workers due to the continuation of manual scavenging in water tanks. Cultural & Heritage Reporting: Covers significant community stories, including the restoration of British-era fountains and the history of institutions like the 126-year-old Chinchpokli cemetery, showing a breadth of interest beyond pure administration. Tweets @nayonikakb ... Read More

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