Amid an unrelenting heatwave gripping Mumbai and its neighbouring regions, temperatures reached a scorching 39.1°C on Monday afternoon, marking the city’s second hottest April day in the last decade. This follows closely on the heels of Mumbai’s hottest day in over ten years earlier this month, when the mercury touched nearly 40°C. Thane didn’t escape the heat either, recording a sweltering 42°C on Monday.

However, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a decline in temperatures starting Tuesday. The IMD's Santacruz weather station recorded Monday's peak temperature, emphasising that this April has seen unprecedented heat. Relief is expected as the anticyclonic circulation responsible for the heat dissipates gradually.

Sushma Nair, an IMD scientist, attributed the sweltering conditions to the anticyclonic circulation but assured that temperatures will gradually decrease. Mumbai has already endured five heatwave days this April, including a 'severe heatwave' alert earlier in the month. This surge in temperatures aligns with the IMD's long-term forecast, predicting a warmer summer for Maharashtra due to climate change and rapid urbanisation.