Mumbai swelters as temperatures rise, fall in AQI brings relief

Mumbai continued to swelter in the summer heat, as maximum temperatures rose by another two degrees above the normal mark on Tuesday.

Mumbai continued to swelter in the summer heat, as maximum temperatures rose by another two degrees above the normal mark on Tuesday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Colaba and Santacruz recorded maximum temperatures of 35.2 degrees Celsius and 35.3 degrees Celsius — 2.6 degrees and 2.3 degrees above the normal mark.

The minimum temperatures rose too with Colaba and Santacruz recording minimum temperatures of 27.9 degrees Celsius and 25.7 degrees Celsius – 2.5 degrees and 1.1 degrees above the normal mark.

From 80% and 75% recorded on Monday, the humidity levels decreased to 78% in Colaba and 73% in Santacruz on Tuesday evening.

“The westerly winds blowing over the Arabian Sea have been bringing a lot of moisture into the city, which has led to the rise in humidity levels. This trend is likely to continue for another day,” said VK Rajeev, director, western region, IMD.

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) showed improvement on Tuesday from last week. The United States Consulate General in Bandra last week recorded the city’s AQI at 159, which placed the city in the ‘unhealthy’ category. But around 7pm on Tuesday, Mumbai’s AQI stood at 97, which placed the city in the ‘moderate’ category.