Colaba records 36.9 degrees Celsius for second day; little relief likely during Diwali

Mumbai residents are struggling with heat and humidity these days. November has begun, but the city's temperature has shown no drop so far. Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius for the second day in a row.

On Thursday, November 5, the maximum temperature at the Colaba weather station was 36.9 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees above average. Santacruz recorded a maximum of 35.4 degrees Celsius the same day, 0.7 degrees above average. A day earlier, on Wednesday, November 4, Mumbai had also recorded 36.9 degrees. That was the highest maximum temperature in Maharashtra.

On Friday, November 6, the minimum temperature was 26.3 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 23.2 degrees Celsius at Santacruz. Humidity was 82 per cent at Colaba and 66 per cent at Santacruz. Humidity is high along with the temperature, adding to residents' discomfort.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, skies over Mumbai and the surrounding suburbs will be mostly clear and the weather dry. The maximum temperature is likely to stay around 35 degrees over the next few days. The chances of rain are very low for now. Dry weather and the absence of clouds will keep the days hot. For this reason, Mumbai residents are unlikely to get relief from the heat during Diwali as well.

Bikram Singh, director of the Mumbai weather department, said Mumbai will have to wait until December for a good drop in temperature and for it to feel cool.

Along with the heat, air pollution also persists in Mumbai. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board's SAMEER app, Mumbai's average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Friday morning was 104, which falls in the moderate category.

AQI readings across the city were: Worli 119, Colaba 118, Andheri 113, Deonar 109 and Borivali 93. At BKC, the AQI ranged between 136 and 152.

Among neighbouring cities, Thane recorded an AQI of 96, with air quality in the satisfactory category. Navi Mumbai recorded 124 and Kalyan 102. Air quality in both these cities is in the moderate category.

Overall, skies in Mumbai are expected to stay clear and the weather dry for the next few days, with temperatures around 35 degrees. Moderate air pollution is also being recorded in Mumbai and the neighbouring cities, so residents will have to bear both heat and pollution.