Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 10: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has upgraded the heatwave warning for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar district from a yellow alert to an orange alert as the region experiences severe heatwave conditions.

According to IMD, the alert was upgraded for Tuesday as temperatures soared significantly above normal levels, marking the second heatwave of the season in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

At 8.30 am, the Santacruz Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 38.4°C, which is about 6°C above normal. Meanwhile, the Colaba Observatory recorded 35.9°C, around 4.8°C above the seasonal average.

IMD Mumbai scientist Sushma Nair said that a Yellow alert had initially been issued for heatwave conditions but was later upgraded to an Orange alert due to the sharp rise in temperatures. She added that a Yellow alert will remain in place on Wednesday for hot and humid conditions.

While Mumbai is expected to remain dry for the next few days, IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and rainfall in parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha in the coming days.

According to the department’s district forecast, a Yellow alert has been issued for March 13 and 14 for districts including Chandrapur district, Yavatmal district and Gadchiroli district, where thunderstorms with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are expected at isolated locations.

Similar weather conditions with light rainfall and thunderstorms are also likely in districts such as Parbhani district, Beed district, Latur district, Hingoli district and Dharashiv district.

The IMD’s seasonal outlook for March to May 2026 had earlier predicted above-normal temperatures in March and possible heatwaves during April and May. However, the region has already begun experiencing heatwave conditions from the first week of March, signalling the onset of an intense summer.