Mumbai, March 24:  Mumbaikars will have to brace for hot wave conditions in the coming days as the mercury level across the city are set to rise from Sunday. The next few days are likely to be hotter in the city, with temperatures likely to hover around 40 degrees. On Saturday, the city recorded the maximum temperature at 34.1 degrees Celsius. According to a forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature in the city on Sunday will be around 34 degrees while the minimum temperature will hover around 20 degrees. According to private agency Skymet Weather, Mumbai may reach the mark of 34 to 35°C today and 38 to 40°C during the next 72 hours. It further added saying that Mumbaikars will witness relief from the hot spell only after March 27. Mumbai Heat Wave: How the Extreme Temperature Can Affect Your Body and What You Can Do About It.

Over the last few days, the Mumbai has witnessed a spike in mercury level. Maharashtra and Gujarat are experiencing dry weather conditions at present. On Saturday, while the temperature during the day soared, the relative humidity recorded by IMD Colaba and Santa Cruz observatory was 64% and 37% respectively. According to a report by TOI, the maximum temperature recorded in the city on Saturday showcased a rising trend as compared to Friday. The maximum temperature on Friday in Mumbai was 31.5 degrees Celsius. As per Met department’s Colaba observatory, the maximum temperature on Friday was 31.5 degrees while the maximum recorded was 29.8 degrees.

According to IMD, the temperatures in the city have been witnessing a rise due to the ongoing transition period- a shift from winter to summer season. The report further states that, in the coming days, the wind direction is expected to change from the existing north westerly to westerly into easterly. Nitha Sasidharan, scientist from IMD Mumbai, informed that the easterly winds are seen coming from the land and therefore a gradual rise has been forecast.

In March 2018, Mumbai had recorded the second highest temperature in a decade after mercury soared to 41 degrees Celsius. This made March 25, 2018 the second hottest day in March this decade, getting within a touching distance of 41.3 degrees C recorded on March 17, 2011. According to reports, the highest ever temperature recorded this month in Mumbai was on March 28, 1956 when the mercury reached 41.7 degrees.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 24, 2019 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).