Mumbai experiences ‘October Heat’; Southwest Monsoon completely withdrawn from Maharashtra
Mumbai experiences ‘October Heat’; Southwest Monsoon completely withdrawn from Maharashtra
Mumbaikars have already started experiencing the October heat. This abrupt surge in temperatures is attributed to dry easterly and northeasterly winds in the lower atmospheric levels. It is learnt that the the mercury will remain high, with Mumbai likely to experience temperatures in the lower to mid-30s for the next few days.
According to Sushma Nair, a scientist at IMD Mumbai.
notwithstanding the temperature just being a few degrees above normal and not reaching heat wave-like conditions, the weather is not going to be comfortable for the next six to seven days. The reason being that the easterly winds are bringing dry air into the city.
The blazing heat has already led to a surge in electricity demand across the metropolis. In the first week of October alone, Mumbai’s electricity consumption surpassed 3550 megawatts, the highest since the end of summer.
Notedly, Maharashtra collectively recorded a surge in power demand to over 27300 megawatts as well, potentially driven by the widespread use of air conditioners.
As per experts warning, the worst of the ‘October heat’ is yet to come. Often referred to as the ‘second summer’, this weather phenomenon is common in Mumbai, where temperatures tend to rise during this transitional month between the monsoon and the winter season.
Meanwhile, the presence of dry easterly winds of late indicates the complete withdrawal of the monsoon winds, with winds from the north-northeast gaining momentum.
The India Meteorological Department confirms this, indicating that the monsoon has withdrawn from most of Maharashtra, now lingering only in the southernmost Konkan subdivision, marked by the monsoon line passing through Vengurla.
News Edit K.V.Raman
