Light rain forecast for Mumbai, neighbouring districts on March 18-19

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain for Mumbai and its neighbouring districts, while a separate forecast indicates that parts of Maharashtra will experience moderate summer conditions with elevated night temperatures over the next four to five days.

Light rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts on March 18 and 19. The IMD has not issued an alert for these areas. A yellow alert has been placed for Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, where light to moderate showers with strong winds and lightning are possible.

For the rest of Maharashtra, the IMD has predicted moderate summer conditions for the next four to five days. Parts of Vidarbha may record temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. The Konkan region, which includes Mumbai, is expected to remain warm and moist. No significant spike in day temperatures is anticipated. However, night temperatures are expected to remain above normal, which may cause stress to health, officials said.

In the preceding two weeks, Mumbai and its surrounding areas experienced three heatwave alerts. On March 10, the maximum temperature in Mumbai reached 40 degrees Celsius, a five-year high for the month. The first heatwave alert was issued between March 4 and 5. A second alert, classifying the weather as a severe heatwave, was issued for March 9 and 10. A third alert was issued on March 13.

Temperatures in the city have since moderated. Over the weekend, the evening temperature in the suburbs was recorded at 31 degrees Celsius, which is below the normal for this time of the year.