Humid heat lingers in Maharashtra as unseasonal rain forecast for Vidarbha on Oct 27-28

Even as October draws to a close, the heat and humidity in Maharashtra have not eased. People in Mumbai, Thane and the suburbs are troubled by the hot, muggy weather. Hot winds are coming in from the Arabian Sea, while cyclone-like conditions have formed over the Bay of Bengal. This is being felt as a change in the state's weather.

Light rain is likely in some areas. Unseasonal rain is forecast in Vidarbha on October 27 and 28. People are also wondering when winter will arrive in Maharashtra.

According to Mahesh Palawat, a weather expert at Skymet, a low-pressure belt and a cyclone-linked weather system have become active over the Bay of Bengal. The system is likely to affect mainly some states in north India. Over the next 5 to 7 days, hail and heavy rain with strong winds are possible in some parts.

A storm is expected to make landfall near Visakhapatnam late on the evening of October 28. The information given says its speed could reach 150 km per hour. Maharashtra has not been described as facing a direct threat from the storm.

Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and the suburbs have been hit by hot and humid weather for the past few days. Sweltering heat and higher temperatures are making people face what is being called October heat.

On October 26, the weather in the Konkan, including Mumbai, is expected to stay mostly dry. Over the next two to three days, however, light rain is possible in places in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of south Konkan. All eyes are on whether this will bring some relief from the humidity.

No rain is expected on October 26 in the north Maharashtra districts of Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik and Ahilyanagar. The ghat areas of Nashik are also expected to stay dry. Some places may feel mild cold at night and in the morning. Light rain is forecast in some parts from October 28.

In Marathwada, the weather may also remain dry on October 26 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv districts. Over the next few days, however, thunderstorms with rain are possible in some districts.

Unseasonal rain has been forecast for parts of Vidarbha on October 27 and 28. Light rain is expected in the ghat areas and Vidarbha, while hot and dry weather may continue in most other parts of the state.

Meanwhile, the first signs of winter have begun in north India. In Kashmir, days when the temperature falls below zero degrees Celsius have started. When exactly the cold will arrive in Maharashtra cannot yet be said with certainty. The effect of the Bay of Bengal system, the hot winds from the Arabian Sea and the changes in north India may become visible over the next few days. People should therefore keep track of the latest weather forecasts.