A heatwave alert is on in Mumbai – and temperatures could hit 40°C

I’d think twice before stepping out in the city’s afternoon heat this week. The India Meteorological Department has issued its second yellow heatwave warning for parts of Mumbai, as well as Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Raigad.

On March 5, temperatures in Mumbai climbed to 38.9°C – that's almost 6 degrees above normal. Today’s forecast pushes that even higher, with the mercury expected to touch 40°C and nighttime lows around 24°C. If you’re planning to be out and about, especially in the afternoon, caution is advised.

Heatwave warnings are issued by the IMD when temperatures breach 37°C for more than two consecutive days. And it looks like the city will stay above that mark for a while – highs this week are expected to hover above the threshold at least until Friday, March 13. The current yellow alert is in place from March 9 to March 11.

Add to that Mumbai’s AQI, which has already climbed to 142 this week after only a couple of days’ respite, and you’ve got the makings of hazy skies, lingering smog and a not-so-friendly flu season. If you can, plan outdoor errands early or late in the day, and keep that water bottle handy.