Unexpected rainfall cools city, more thundershowers likely today

Mumbai: Maximum temperatures in Mumbai saw a sudden drop following unexpected showers from Saturday afternoon. Neighbouring Thane and Navi Mumbai, too, witnessed light rainfall. Indian meteorological department (IMD) has forecast rain or thundershowers in the next 24 hours.
Maximum temperatures in Colaba fell to 32.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday—0.3 degree Celsius below normal— from 35.3 on Friday.
Showers were first witnessed around 2.30pm in parts of Panvel and New Panvel followed by drizzling in Kharghar, Belapur, Nerul and Vashi.
V K Rajeev from IMD Mumbai said this unexpected rainfall is on account of an easterly trough. “A low pressure area, extending till North Konkan, has formed over the city, which has led to these showers,” said Rajeev, adding that such activity is not unusual for November. This is the second time since 2011 that Mumbai has experienced showers in November. Last year, on November 15, 3.2mm of rainfall was recorded.
IMD has also forecast thunderstorm and hailstorm activity in parts of Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada.
In Thane, too, maximum temperatures dropped as it began to drizzle late in the afternoon and showers continued till evening, disrupting citizens’ schedules. Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and Ambernath saw heavy rainfall, which started around 4.30pm and continued till evening. Shahapur area that has most dams which supply water to Mumbai did not experience significant showers. On the other hand, Barave dam area, between Badlapur and Murbad, which supplies to Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai and Thane, got much rain.
Many took to Twitter and Facebook and posted pictures of the sudden rain. Some were heard saying that just when they felt winter had arrived, rain seemed to have made a comeback. Mahendra Hemdev from Marine Drive Residents’ Association said the weather turned very pleasant on Saturday.
Nerul’s A Chauhan said, “The sky was overcast in the morning, making for a rather sticky day, until it started to rain by late afternoon.”
Meanwhile, IMD Santacruz observatory, which had recorded a drop in minimum temperatures to 18.4 degree Celsius on Friday, saw them climb to 23.4 on Saturday morning, by which time it had got cloudy. Relative humidity in Colaba and Santacruz was 72% and 70%, respectively.