Good heavens, it8217;s a storm!

MUMBAI, May 15: For once Pokhran wasn't the culprit. This time, homebound office-goers rubbed their eyes to get the grit out as squally wind...

MUMBAI, May 15: For once Pokhran wasn8217;t the culprit. This time, homebound office-goers rubbed their eyes to get the grit out as squally winds whipped up eddies of dust in Mumbai this evening.

Bursts of wind at 45 kmph whipped up excitement and relief on steamy sidewalks as pedestrians held on to their evening newspapers for almost two hours at the end of another hot and humid day. Some areas in the city were also sprinkled with welcome showers and billowing clouds turned the sky a weepy grey.

The Meteorological Department says the sudden celestial activity is a typical seasonal phenomenon8217;, a prelude to the monsoon, which usually breaks in mid-June. However, the city is also feeling the reverbrations of the heat weave in interior Maharashtra, at times hitting 43 and even 45 degrees Celcius. 8220;The thunder squalls in these regions are blowing in Mumbai8217;s direction,8221; the bureau explains.

But try telling that to the owner of a new Peter England shirt, who cursed the dust that mucked it up. While this guyhad only his shirt to lose, autorickshaw drivers in Kandivli had plenty to rant about. 8220;Till 5.45 pm, everything was fine8230; At 6 o8217;clock, it suddenly turned so dark and cloudy that commuters actually started panicking, expecting a hurricane to strike,8221; says Nagina Yadav. 8220;I could not drive my auto properly as I found it hard to just keep my eyes open,8221; Yadav muttered. Navi Mumbai as well as Thane experienced gusty winds. But it was back to normal by 8 pm.

However, the dust storm at Mahalaxmi8217;s racecourse was a sight to behold 8211; that8217;s if anyone could keep their eyes open. Punters at the racecourse were livid, but invoking the heavens only made things worse.

8220;The jockeys barely managed to keep their horses on the right track during the sandy storm, which even blanked out the skyscrapers in the background.

But the drizzle that followed smothered the dust, leading to a refreshingly cool breeze, much to the relief of the men and horses,8221; says a punter at the racecourse, which was also holding theGymkhana Race Meeting of the Amateur Riders8217; Club.

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But for couples hugging the cement ledges at Marine Drive, the temperamental weather was a heaven-sent opportunity to steal a few private moments as the storm kept joggers, peanut vendors, beggars and dog walkers at bay.

But their joy will be short-lived. The Colaba Weather Bureau says the present conditions will last till Saturday evening only, and that too, for a few hours. What a spoilsport!