Mumbai is under a heatwave warning for the second time this month, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of the city and Thane, followed by hot and humid weather on Tuesday. Conditions are expected to ease from Wednesday, according to an evening weather bulletin issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre in Colaba.
The warning covers isolated pockets of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri. Heatwave conditions were forecast for Mumbai and Thane on Monday, October 12, while hot and humid weather is expected to continue on Tuesday, October 13. Raigad and Ratnagiri are also likely to see isolated heatwave conditions on Monday before hot and humid weather persists on Tuesday.
Mumbai recorded unusually high temperatures on Monday. The Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum of 38.2 degrees Celsius, which was 5.1 degrees Celsius above normal. Colaba recorded 36.5 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above normal, weather scientist K.S. Hosalikar said in a post on X. He described the city as having experienced a very warm day, with the heat likely to continue until late evening.
The latest alert follows a previous heatwave warning issued on October 9. The IMD has advised residents to remain hydrated and avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak afternoon hours. The guidance is particularly relevant for people working outdoors, commuters and residents without reliable access to cool indoor spaces during the hottest part of the day.
The bulletin also includes precautions for thunderstorms and lightning. Residents have been advised not to take shelter under tall trees during lightning activity and to unplug electronic equipment during thundershowers to reduce the risk of damage from electrical surges.
The forecast is not uniform across Maharashtra. Northern Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha are expected to experience mainly dry weather through the week, while Sindhudurg is likely to remain dry over the next few days. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are forecast in isolated areas there on Friday, October 16.
Parts of southern Maharashtra and the Ghat regions may also receive rain towards the end of the week. Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Solapur are expected to remain dry until Thursday, while isolated pockets of Sangli, Solapur and Kolhapur, along with the Ghats of Satara, may receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers on Friday.
The IMD has issued a separate advisory for farmers in areas that could experience unseasonal rain and gusty winds. Farmers have been advised to harvest mature crops as early as possible, move harvested produce to covered and dry storage, and avoid applying chemical sprays or irrigating fields during adverse weather. The advisory also recommends supporting young crops and keeping livestock safely sheltered indoors.
The Regional Meteorological Centre expects conditions in Mumbai and neighbouring areas to improve from Wednesday, while dry weather is forecast across much of the state.
