Heat and humidity persist in Maharashtra, thunderstorms likely in several districts for 4-5 days
The weather department has forecast thunderstorms with lightning in parts of the state for 4 to 5 days, even as temperatures cross 36 degrees Celsius.
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Maharashtra is sweating through an October heatwave even as the weather department warns of thundery rain in different parts of the state over the next four to five days. Sunshine is expected to stay harsh on Thursday, October 15, and daytime humidity is making it difficult for many people to step out.
Maximum temperatures have been climbing steadily, and the mercury is being recorded at more than 36 degrees Celsius in many places. Residents have been complaining of the strong sun by day and the sticky air that comes with it.
The Konkan coast is expected to bear the brunt of the humidity. Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts will see hot and humid conditions today, and people there may find the moisture more uncomfortable than the heat itself. Officials have advised residents to take care while going out.
Rain with strong winds has been forecast for Kolhapur and Solapur districts. A yellow alert has been issued for the districts concerned, and lightning-accompanied showers are possible at some places in Pune, Satara, Sangli and Dharashiv. People in these areas have been asked to keep an eye on changes in the weather.
The department says conditions for thundery rain are still taking shape, so showers could fall in different parts of the state through the coming days, with lightning and gusty winds at places. The nature and intensity of the rain will differ from one district to another, and some districts may have to cope with rain alongside the heat. The state is thus living with a dual weather pattern. During lightning, people should not stand under trees or in open spaces, and should follow the department's advisories.
The retreat of the monsoon across the country is also moving fast. By Monday, October 12, it had pulled out of Sikkim, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh entirely, along with some portions of Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Karnataka. It is expected to leave the whole country today, October 15. The north-easterly winds of the north-east monsoon are then likely to become active over South India, which could alter rainfall conditions in various regions.
For the coming week, the forecast shows a maximum of 36 and a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius on both Thursday, October 15, and Friday, October 16. Saturday, October 17, is expected to touch 34 degrees at most, with a minimum of 26. Sunday, October 18, will see a similar high of 34 and a low of 27. On Monday, October 19, the maximum rises to 35 with a minimum of 27, and from Tuesday, October 20, to Thursday, October 22, the maximum returns to 36 degrees with the minimum holding at 27.
