Knocksense Shorts | Mumbai swelters at 36.2°C; temperature drop expected after Feb 6

On Saturday, the temperature in Mumbai reached an unusual high at 36.2 degrees Celsius, five degrees above the average. This unusual heat is being attributed to western disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir, by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Maximum temperatures were recorded at 36.2 and 34.9 degrees Celsius at the Santacruz and Colaba observatories, respectively, while minimum temperatures were three degrees above average.

The lack of northerlies, which usually bring down temperatures, is caused by the western disturbances that are currently in place, according to Sunil Kamble, director of IMD Mumbai. On the other hand, once the disturbances pass, temperatures should gradually drop from February 6 onwards.

At the same time, the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 153 on Sunday, marking a significant deterioration in air quality. Worli's Siddharth Nagar recorded the highest AQI, at 255, ahead of BKC at 248 and Byculla at 231. Meanwhile, Malad West had the best air quality, scoring 41 on the AQI, which is considered "good."