IMD Issues First Heatwave Warning of the Season for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad

Mumbai, 15th April 2024: Amid scorching heat affecting residents, the India Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave warning for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, effective until Tuesday. This is the first heatwave alert of the season, with temperatures expected to range between 37 to 38 degrees Celsius for the next two days.

The ‘yellow’ heatwave warning was announced by experts attributing the spike in temperatures to the influx of northerly winds. Sunil Kamble, the director of IMD Mumbai, highlighted the impact of these winds, leading to the issuance of the heatwave warning.

Typically, a heatwave alert is activated when temperatures exceed 37 degrees along the coast and surpass 40 degrees in Maharashtra’s inland areas. Recent temperature recordings in Mumbai’s suburbs and Colaba indicate a significant increase, with minimum temperatures also experiencing an unusual rise.

The sudden temperature surge on Monday serves as a precursor to the upcoming summer, which the IMD predicts will witness more heatwave days. Meteorologists anticipate temperatures to be above normal by 1-2 degrees across Maharashtra, with an increase in heatwave occurrences over the next three months.

While coastal regions battle the heatwave, thunderstorms and strong winds persist in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Madhya Maharashtra, providing some relief to these areas.