Mumbai residents may soon welcome the patter of raindrops after a prolonged dry stretch, but the city’s notorious October warmth is set to linger stubbornly. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a return of light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms beginning Thursday, October 16, offering sporadic cooling through October 20.
Yet, this anticipated precipitation won’t deliver substantial relief from the heat. Daytime temperatures are projected to hover above 35°C for the remainder of the week, maintaining the oppressive conditions that have plagued the metropolis. On Tuesday, Mumbai ranked as Maharashtra’s second-hottest locale, trailing only Ratnagiri. IMD records indicate Ratnagiri hit 35.5°C, with Mumbai’s Santacruz station registering 35.3°C—1.6°C higher than seasonal averages. At Colaba, the coastal gauge peaked at 33.7°C.
The resurgence of showers stems from northeastern monsoon flows, which usually drench southern India but can spill over to the west during seasonal shifts, as noted in an Indian Express report. These intermittent downpours are expected to be uneven, potentially lingering into the weekend.
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In nearby Palghar district, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday, citing risks of thunderstorms and strong winds. Independent weather tracker Rushikesh Agre, known online as Mumbai Rains, shared on X that western Maharashtra could see consistent daily rains starting midweek. “Pune is likely to get showers from October 15 onwards, while Mumbai will also join soon, with good chances of rain from October 16,” he posted.
The southwest monsoon departed on October 10, leaving behind arid ground, and while the new rains might ease that dryness temporarily, experts warn of heightened discomfort. The mix of lingering heat and rising moisture is forecast to boost humidity, fostering humid, clammy nights along the coastline.
On the air quality front, Mumbai’s atmosphere stayed in the moderate range Wednesday morning, with a citywide Air Quality Index (AQI) of 138. Among 28 stations, just three reported satisfactory levels; Bandra Kurla Complex and Deonar, however, dipped into poor territory with readings exceeding 200.
