Drop in mercury brings little respite to Mumbai from hot and humid conditions

Data furnished by the weather bureau showed that on Thursday afternoon, the Santacruz observatory registered a maximum temperature of 32.8 degrees Celsius—0.6 degrees below the normal—while the Colaba coastal observatory recorded 33.6 degrees Celsius. This marked a further drop from Wednesday, when the maximum temperatures hovered at 33.8 degrees Celsius in the suburbs.

Even so, hot and humid conditions prevailed in the city throughout the day, leaving residents high and dry. According to experts, the discomfort levels remained high despite the dip, although marginal, owing to the high humidity conditions in the region.

Records from the IMD showed that on Thursday morning, the Colaba coastal observatory logged humidity levels of 89 per cent –eight per cent above the normal — while the Santacruz observatory recorded above normal relative humidity of 78 per cent.

What makes high humidity particularly uncomfortable for people is its preventative effect on the body’s natural ability to cool down. Being indicative of high moisture content in the air, high relative humidity levels slows down the process of sweat evaporation from the body – an essential process for losing heat – and that is what induces discomfort and sweat.

Meanwhile, the MET has predicted that the maximum temperature will continue to remain in the range of 33-34 degrees Ceslius for the next few days, following which the temperature in the city may spike. Starting Sunday, the maximum temperature is predicted to touch over 36 degrees Ceslius.

The IMD bureau, in its seasonal forecast announced earlier this month, also said that most parts of the country, including Maharashtra, are likely to experience warmer summers with prolonged periods of heatwave.

For the record, Mumbai is prone to recording highs of upto 38 – 39 degrees in April with data showing that the warmest day of April in 2024 was registered at 39.7 degrees Celsius while its hottest day in 2023 was recorded at 38.8 degrees Ceslius.