Thundershowers, lightening catch Mumbaiites off guard on Friday

The weather bureau has predicted thundershowers on Saturday followed by heavy to very heavy rain for Sunday

The city was taken by surprise with gloomy conditions, followed by sudden rainfall and lightning on Friday evening.

People run for cover at Mazgaon following a sudden downpour on Friday. (Pratik Chorge/HT)

The weather bureau at Colaba recorded 8mm rain and 98% humidity between 8.30am and 5.30pm. During the same period, Santacruz station recorded 0.7mm rain and 83% humidity.

The weather bureau has predicted thundershowers on Saturday followed by heavy to very heavy rain for Sunday. While prediction for Tuesday is moderate rainfall .

“The rise in moisture levels can be attributed to a trough (weather system) present over east-central Arabian Sea off the Kerala and Karnataka coast and a cyclonic circulation over Rayalseema areas. In Mumbai there has been a rise in temperatures during the day that has led to land heating and due to the moisture incursions during evening hours, the convection is leading to tall cloud formations paving way for thundershowers,” said Nitha Sasidharan, scientist, India Meteorological Department. “The entire Konkan coast could expect heavy rain from Sunday onwards and moderate rain is expected all across the state.”

The day temperature in the suburbs was high on Friday as Santacruz recorded 35.2 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degree Celsius above normal. Colaba recorded 34.2 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degree Celsius above normal. Night temperatures in the suburbs and south Mumbai breached the 27 degree Celsius mark, which was 2 degrees Celsius above normal.

Meanwhile, air quality in the city was in the moderate category as the pollutant-measuring indicator – air quality index (AQI) for PM2.5 pollutant – small sized particles that can easily enter the respiratory system - was 162 and is expected to be similar on Saturday, according to the System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

HT reported on Friday that the state pollution control board had asked polluting factories, located in Nerul’s DY Patil Stadium, where matches are to be held, to either suspend operations or cut down production to ensure clean air during the sporting event in Navi Mumbai. The area recorded the worst air quality in the city on Friday at 244, falling under the poor category.

An AQI level between 0-100 is good, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor and 301 and above is very poor.

Most polluted spots in the city on Friday

Location AQI on Friday Expected AQI on Saturday

Mumbai 162 (moderate) 159 (moderate)

Navi Mumbai 244 (poor) 277 (poor)

Chembur 219 (poor) 201 (poor)

BKC 212 (poor) 169 (moderate)

Mazgaon 240 (poor) 246 (poor)

(Source: System for Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research)