The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds were very likely Mumbai, Thane and parts of Maharashtra.
In a nowcast alert, issued by the IMD Mumbai at 6:30 pm, the weather department said that thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph very likely in Mumbai, Thane, Sindhudurg, Satara, Solapur, Kolhapur, Pune in Maharashtra.
According to the warning, the weather conditions are expected to prevail for the next three hours. Gusty winds were also likely in some areas.
The IMD has advised residents to stay indoors, avoid sheltering under trees, and take precautions against lightning and strong winds.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Mumbai and adjoining areas had received rains after a similar alert issued by the IMD Mumbai.
The officials had stated that the recent thunderstorm activity and rainfall over Interior Maharashtra and Konkan is mainly due to a troughing pattern in the easterly winds at lower levels. This, combined with increased moisture incursion and higher daytime temperatures, has created favourable conditions for storm development.
Meanwhile, Mumbai woke up to a bright and sunny morning on Thursday, as the city continued to experience dry yet humid conditions.
Clear blue skies greeted Mumbaikars early in the day, though the India Meteorological Department had forecast partly cloudy skies later, with the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rain and gusty winds in parts of the city and suburbs.
The IMD, Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, around 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 26.6 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity was measured at 86 per cent.
In Santacruz, temperatures were slightly higher, with a maximum of 35.5 degrees Celsius—also 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal—and a minimum of 25.6 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels in the area were recorded at 76 per cent, indicating continued discomfort due to muggy conditions.
On October 21, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the `poor` category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 116 at 9.15 am.
As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed `moderate` AQI. Colaba, Worli, Borivali, Bhandup and Vile Parle recorded `good` air quality, with an AQI of 95, 81, 68, 54 and 100, respectively.
