Warm, humid weather returns as rains take a break in Mumbai, lake levels remain unchanged

Mumbai: After intense monsoon activity in the first week of July, the city witnessed a complete lull in rainfall over the weekend, with the dry spell pushing up both day and night temperatures.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded above-normal temperatures at both its observatories on Sunday. The minimum temperature at Colaba stood at 27.7°C, 2 degrees above normal, while Santacruz recorded 27.4°C, which was 1.6 degrees above normal. Daytime temperatures also climbed, with Colaba registering a maximum of 32.4°C, 2.3 degrees above normal, and Santacruz recording 32.2°C, 1.7 degrees above normal.

High humidity added to the discomfort, with relative humidity touching 83% at Colaba and 78% at Santacruz.The dry spell has also stalled gains in Mumbai’s water reserves. Water stocks in the seven lakes that supply drinking water to the city have remained unchanged at 49.84% of their total capacity for the past three days, pointing at the absence of any significant rainfall in the catchment areas.“The temporary break in rainfall has allowed temperatures to rise as there is more heating during the day. At the same time, the moisture left behind by the recent spell of heavy rain is keeping humidity levels high, making weather conditions feel warmer than the actual temperatures,” said a weather official.Weather officials said rainfall activity is expected to resume as monsoon conditions become favourable again over the coming days.