Mumbai’s weather remains unpredictable, with fluctuating temperatures providing little relief. On Wednesday, the city saw its hottest December day in 16 years. However, the intense heat is expected to be brief, with the IMD forecasting a significant temperature drop in the coming days.

The heatwave, which has made conditions feel suffocating, is linked to Cyclone Fengal, which has raised both temperatures and humidity levels in the region.

The Santacruz Observatory recorded a sweltering 37.3°C on Wednesday, marking the hottest December day in 16 years, surpassing the previous record of 37.7°C in 2008. With the cyclone now shifting to the central Arabian Sea, Mumbai can expect some relief, as temperatures are predicted to dip to 15-16°C in the next 72 hours.

The IMD has forecasted a minimum temperature of 27.02°C and a maximum of 29.03°C for today. Humidity is expected to remain high at around 69%, likely intensifying the discomfort.

However, it’s not just the weather causing concern. A recent Greenpeace India report has raised alarms about high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution in Mumbai. The city’s annual average NO2 concentration exceeded WHO health guidelines at 22 out of 24 monitoring stations, with Malad West and Bandra Kurla seeing the highest levels.

The pollution has been a persistent issue, with areas like Mazgaon and Sion surpassing the limits for over 70% of the year, posing serious health risks to residents.