At 38.9 degrees Celsius, city experienced its first heatwave of the season

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature at its Santacruz observatory reached 38.9°C—about 5.9°C above normal. The spike met the criteria laid down by the weather agency for declaring a heatwave in Mumbai

Mumbai: The city recorded its first heatwave of the season on Thursday, with temperatures in the suburbs climbing close to 39°C, well above the seasonal average.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature at its Santacruz observatory reached 38.9°C—about 5.9°C above normal. The spike met the criteria laid down by the weather agency for declaring a heatwave in Mumbai. (Pic for representation)

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature at its Santacruz observatory reached 38.9°C—about 5.9°C above normal. The spike met the criteria laid down by the weather agency for declaring a heatwave in Mumbai.

As per the IMD’s standard parameters, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature crosses 37°C for at least two consecutive days and remains more than 5°C above the normal level. On Wednesday, the Santacruz station had already recorded a high of 38.7°C, which was 5.7°C above normal.

South Mumbai also witnessed a sharp rise in temperatures, though slightly lower than the suburbs. The maximum temperature at the Colaba observatory reached 36.2°C, more than 5°C above the seasonal average.

Night temperatures too remained elevated. The minimum temperature stood at 24°C in Colaba and 22°C in Santacruz, both nearly 2°C above normal.