Malegaon records state's highest temperature at 38.4 C as monsoon retreats; yellow alert for Gadchiroli

As the monsoon's return journey continues, the weather across Maharashtra has changed. Rain has paused in many parts of the state, and the heat and humidity have increased. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for Gadchiroli district today, October 7, as thunderstorms with lightning are likely.

In the 24 hours to Tuesday morning, October 6, Malegaon recorded the state's highest temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius. Temperatures were above 37 degrees in Jalgaon, Solapur, Akola, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Wardha. The mercury also crossed 36 degrees in Dhule, Buldhana, Yavatmal and Washim. With temperatures staying above 35 degrees in most parts of the state, the heat is proving oppressive.

At the other extreme, the agriculture college in Dhule recorded the state's lowest temperature of 17 degrees Celsius. This shows a wide variation in temperatures across different parts of the state.

The monsoon has withdrawn from half of Maharashtra and continued its retreat on Tuesday as well. Rainfall has therefore reduced in many areas. At the same time, people are having to bear the heat and humidity typical of October.

The weather department said a low-pressure trough is active at a height of 5.8 km above sea level, stretching from the Himalayan part of West Bengal through Vidarbha and Marathwada to central Maharashtra. A cyclonic circulation lies at 5.8 km over the Arabian Sea along the Kerala coast. A low-pressure trough is also active from central Maharashtra to the Gulf of Mannar.

According to today's forecast, Gadchiroli may get thunderstorms with lightning. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is also forecast for Sindhudurg and Kolhapur districts. The rest of the state will mostly stay dry with largely clear skies, and the heat and humidity may increase, the department said.

In the Konkan, Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts are likely to stay mainly dry. Sindhudurg, however, may see a change, with thunder, lightning, gusty winds and light to moderate rain forecast.

In North Maharashtra, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, the Nashik ghat area and Ahilyanagar have little chance of rain and will stay dry.

In Western Maharashtra, Pune, the Pune ghat area, Satara, the Satara ghat area, Sangli and Solapur districts are likely to stay mainly dry. Kolhapur and the Kolhapur ghat area will see a different picture, with the department forecasting thunder, lightning, gusty winds and light to moderate rain.

Dry weather is forecast for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv districts in Marathwada. Heat and humidity are therefore likely to be felt more than rain in these areas for now.

The weather department has given no special forecast for Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal districts in Vidarbha. However, people in Gadchiroli have been urged to stay alert because of the possibility of stormy rain.