Yellow alert for humid, hot weather in six Konkan districts on Ghatasthapana

With the monsoon having withdrawn from Maharashtra, the heat of the sun is rising. The mercury has gone up in October itself and people are having to bear humidity. A warning of hot and humid weather has been issued for Mumbai and several Konkan districts on Sunday, October 11, the day of Ghatasthapana. People stepping out during the festival season need to take special care.

According to the weather department's forecast, hot and humid weather is likely in places in Palghar, Thane, Mumbai and Raigad districts on October 11. A similar situation may develop in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. A yellow alert has been issued for all these districts. The warning covers all six districts of Konkan.

Because of high humidity on the Konkan coast, it may feel more humid than the actual temperature. People visiting markets, temples or other public places on Ghatasthapana should not stand in the sun for long. Small children, the elderly and those who work outdoors in particular need to take care.

In North Maharashtra, the weather is expected to remain dry on Sunday in Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, the ghat areas of Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts. The chances of rain in these areas are low, but the rising temperature may make the afternoon sun feel harsh. In Nashik, the temperature may range from a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 36 degrees Celsius.

In West Maharashtra, there is no chance of rain in Pune district and the Pune ghat areas, and the weather is expected to remain dry. Dry weather is also likely in Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Solapur districts. The temperature in Pune city may range between 22 and 36 degrees Celsius, so the afternoon heat may be more troublesome than the morning.

In Marathwada, no rain is forecast on October 11 in the eight districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv. The weather is likely to remain dry in most areas. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the minimum temperature may be 21 degrees Celsius and the maximum may reach 38 degrees Celsius. Hope of relief from the heat in Marathwada is therefore low.

No specific weather warning has been issued for the Vidarbha districts of Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, Yavatmal, Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. The weather is likely to remain normal in most areas. In Amravati and Akola, the temperature may range between 21 and 38 degrees Celsius.

Overall, the effect of October heat is growing in the state after the monsoon's withdrawal. In the rest of the state, the effect of rising temperature rather than rain is likely to be seen. People should drink plenty of water, avoid going out in the harsh afternoon sun if possible, and keep their heads covered when stepping out. It will also be important to keep track of the latest information from the weather department.