Yellow alert for heat in parts of Konkan on October 4; rest of Maharashtra to stay dry as mercury rises
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for hot, humid weather in parts of Konkan on October 4, with dry weather forecast elsewhere in the state.
Big changes are visible in Maharashtra's weather after the official end of the monsoon at the close of September. Rain has paused in most parts of the state and temperatures are rising. The effect of "October heat" is being felt especially in Konkan and Vidarbha, and some areas have turned hot and humid.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heat for parts of the Konkan division on October 4. Hot and humid weather is likely that day in parts of Palghar, Thane, Mumbai and Raigad. The department has also forecast similar conditions in parts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, which is why the yellow alert has been issued for these areas.
The mercury may rise in Mumbai too. The city's maximum temperature could reach 36 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to be around 26 degrees Celsius. Mumbaikars may thus have to endure rising humidity at the very start of October.
In north Maharashtra, weather is expected to remain mainly dry on October 4 in Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, Nashik Ghatmatha and Ahilyanagar. The chances of rain are low and temperatures may rise. In Nashik, the minimum temperature may be 18 degrees and the maximum around 35 degrees Celsius. Mornings and nights will feel slightly cool, but the heat is likely to build during the day.
There is no prospect of rain in western Maharashtra either. Dry weather is expected in Pune, Pune Ghatmatha, Kolhapur, Kolhapur Ghatmatha, Satara, Satara Ghatmatha, Sangli and Solapur districts. No specific rain warning has been issued for these areas on October 4. Temperatures in Pune city may range between 23 and 35 degrees Celsius, so the daytime sun will feel harsh there too.
Dry weather is also expected on October 4 in the Marathwada districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv. The maximum temperature in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar may go up to 37 degrees Celsius, so humidity and heat are likely to increase in Marathwada as well.
Most districts of Vidarbha, including Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Washim, Yavatmal, Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, have no specific weather warning. The weather there will be dry, however, and the mercury may stay high. Akola city's temperature is expected to range between 24 and 38 degrees Celsius, so the effect of "October heat" may be felt more strongly in Vidarbha.
The meteorological department has appealed to people in hot and humid areas to take special care. It has advised them to avoid direct sunlight in the afternoon as far as possible, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and use a cap or umbrella when going out. Given the rising temperatures, the department has asked people to look after their health.
