Mumbaikars continued to experience chills over the weekend. On Sunday, the minimum temperature in the island city dropped 2 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature was also below normal.
Mumbai’s Santacruz observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 19.1 degrees Celsius, which on Saturday was 21 degrees Celsius. While, the Colaba observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 21.2 degrees Celsius. As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), by Sunday evening, the maximum temperatures recorded in Santacruz and Colaba observatory were 31.3 degrees Celsius and 28.2 degrees Celsius respectively, which was two degrees below normal.
Although the skies on Sunday remained mainly clear, the air quality continued to be under ‘Poor and Unhealthy’ category, with several areas recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 200. Some of the areas with the poorest AQI by Sunday evening included- Byculla (297), Siddharth Nagar-Worli (272), Malad West (248), Borivali East (244), Kherwadi-Bandra East (216), Mazgaon (215) and others, according to the data by Central Pollution Control Board.
Notably, Mumbai has been grappling with worsening AQI for two weeks due to dry weather and post-monsoon construction works. The lack of humidity does not allow dust particles to settle on the ground, leading to dust accumulating mid-air, the IMD said.
As per IMD Mumbai’s weekly weather report, the city’s climate will remain dry and skies will be mainly clear. At the start of the new year, the minimum temperature in the city is expected to dip. As per IMD’s weekly report, the Santacruz observatory is expected to record a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius by January 3, 2024. While, the Colaba observatory is expected to record a minimum temperature of 17 degrees Celsius by January 4, 2024.
