For four consecutive days, Mumbai has been reeling under intense heat, with temperatures soaring to 38.7°C on February 26—nearly six degrees above normal. The culprit? An anti-cyclone over Madhya Pradesh that has been pushing warm inland winds towards the west coast, delaying the sea breeze and keeping the city sweltering. Other coastal regions, including Ratnagiri, Dahanu, and Goa’s Panjim, have also recorded unusually high temperatures, making this early heatwave a cause for concern.
 
Panjim in Goa touched 37.6°C, while parts of Karnataka and Gujarat recorded temperatures between 35°C and 37°C. Heatwaves in India typically occur between March and June, making this early rise particularly alarming.

People shield themselves from the heat in Mumbai. Pic/Atul Kamble