Mumbai braces for sweltering Holi as IMD issues heat wave warning for city, surrounding regions

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a warning about a "heat wave" during the next 48 hours for Mumbai and surrounding districts, said media reports.The IMD, in its weather forecast, said that the maximum temperature for Mumbai for the next 48 hours will be around 38 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature is likely to be around 21 degrees Celsius.“For the coastal area of Mumbai, if the departure in temperature is more than five degrees and reported by multiple stations continuously for at least two days, it is considered a heat wave,” KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.[caption id="attachment_2444068" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Representational image. PTI[/caption]Explaining the heat wave phenomenon, the IMD said that warm and dry easterly winds are causing an increase in temperature in the coastal regions.According to a report in The Times of India, the maximum temperatures in Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Bhira in Raigad district were around five degrees above normal on Wednesday.In Mumbai, the maximum temperature was 37.4 degrees Celsius in Santa Cruz.Weather experts have advised people to avoid stepping out in the afternoon if not required, and to stay hydrated.Skymet Weather Services has said that the humidity level in the state capital is also soaring.The IMD's Mumbai office, according to Hindustan Times, said that Thursday’s maximum temperature will be six degrees above normal. While the mercury is expected to drop marginally on Friday, the maximum temperature will still be above 35 degrees Celsius.