Mumbai: IMD revised its weather warning for Saturday from heatwave to ‘hot and humid conditions’, even as MMR recorded the fourth heatwave of the month on Friday. The maximum temperature at the Santacruz observatory—the city’s benchmark—rose from 34.2°C on Thursday to 37°C (3.8°C above normal), while the Colaba station logged 34.2°C (2.6°C above normal). The relative humidity at the two was 92% and 92%, respectively. Night temperature also remained high— 24.2°C at Colaba (1.7°C above normal) and 22.8°C (1.9°C above normal) at Santacruz. The city had logged heatwaves on March 5, 9 and 10. On March 10, the mercury hit 40°C, making it the hottest day in seven years. Officials said the short spell of elevated temperatures is being triggered by brief northeasterly winds, which are influencing local weather conditions. Experts said while temperatures have risen in parts of MMR over the past few days, they will come down soon. However, hot and uncomfortable conditions are likely to persist, particularly during the daytime, they added. Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of meteorology and climate change, private forecaster Skymet Weather, warned that the city will face more heatwave days in the future. —Richa Pinto
