Mumbai feels the heat at 35 degree Celsius

Mumbai: The city witnessed a sweltering Sunday as minimum and maximum temperature rose in the city despite the expected cool temperatures in the month of February. The city recorded maximum temperature of 35 degrees at Santacruz observatory, which is higher than the corresponding period last year which was 33 degrees. The minimum on Sunday was 20.5 while last year it was 17.2 degrees. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the weather conditions to the setting in of warmer easterly winds.

“The easterly wind from land to sea is prevailing for a longer time in the air. The sea winds are setting much later in the day due to which there is increase in the temperature,” said an IMD official. As such there was an atmosphere of hot winds flowing in the city during day.

Moreover the city reeled under ‘poor’ air quality for fifth consecutive day. System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 241 in Sunday. An AQI between 200-300 is recorded as ‘poor’ and could lead to health problems like coughing and breathlessness for sensitive persons.

Mazagaon was recorded as the most polluted air with AQI levels recorded as 321 in the city. Along with Mazagaon, Borivali and Bhandup even BKC recorded ‘very poor’ AQI (300-400) in Mumbai. Even Navi Mumbai recorded poor AQI at 328. All of the areas that recorded ‘very poor’ air quality had high levels of PM 2.5, which according to authorities can be attributed to vehicular pollution.