Mumbai: Hot April days were hottest in last 15 years

The unusually hot April became more evident as the politicians and party men involved in the world's largest election exercise avoided the noon hours for campaigning. The hot April days were the hottest in the last 15 years. Specifically, in Mumbai, meteorologists note an unusual phenomenon where 18 out of 30 days in April this year recorded temperatures above normal.

No highest temperature was recorded this year in April, however, the feel has been worse than the highest temperature days, meteorologists have said. This month, the city recorded several heat wave days, as per India Meteorological Department (IMD). Mumbai has experienced five days of heat waves in April alone, with a severe heat wave' alert issued on April 16.

The temperatures recorded on all these occasions were the highest in the last 14 to 15 years

Talking to mid-day, Sushma Nair, a scientist from IMD Mumbai, pointed out that the city is enduring sweltering conditions attributed to an anticyclonic circulation. Elaborating the conditions, Nair said, "Mumbai has witnessed a total of five heat wave days this April - on April 15, April 16, April 28, April 29, and April 30. Typically, every weather station or region has an average normal range of temperature. A heat wave alert is issued when the temperature rises at least 4.5 degrees Celsius above this normal range. For Mumbai (Santacruz observatory), the average value is 33.7 degrees Celsius. Among these mentioned days, April 16 recorded a maximum temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius, marking it as a severe heat wave day. Additionally, on April 29, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 39.1 degrees Celsius."

She further said, "The temperatures recorded on all these occasions were the highest in the last 14 to 15 years. Despite not breaking any highest temperature records in Mumbai, the city was grappling with exceptionally hot weather due to the anticyclonic circulation."

The ongoing voting process spans two and a half months and is divided into seven phases, occurring between April 19 and June 1. Voting in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane is scheduled for May 20, with nomination filing and election campaigns preceding it.

This period aligns with a season of intense heat waves across the country, surpassing even the extreme temperatures experienced in 2023, which was the warmest year on record until now. Unusual heat has become increasingly common, with the 10 warmest years in history all occurring in the past decade (2014-2023). In 2023, temperatures reached their peak, surpassing those of 2016 and earlier years.

Climatologist Rajesh Kapadia from Vagaries of Weather said, "In comparison with the highest April temperatures since 1950, 2024 witnessed the eighth hottest April day at 39.7 degrees Celsius on April 16. April 14, 1952, recorded the hottest-ever April temperature at 42.2 degrees Celsius. Regarding warm nights, the warmest April night occurred in 2011, with a minimum temperature of 29 degrees Celsius. This year, 2024, the warmest April night registered at 27.5 degrees Celsius." Elaborating further, Kapadia explained, "The heat felt more intense this year in April, with 18 days of above-normal temperatures recorded, including several heat wave days."

According to the IMD, while temperatures may slightly decrease after May 2, hot and humid weather is expected to persist. "Although temperatures may experience a slight decline after May 2, the weather is expected to remain consistently hot and humid," said Nair.

Five
No. of heat wave days in city in April