Possibility of temperature touching 40 degrees Celsius: Indian Meteorological Department

Summer's early advance into the city has left residents huffing and puffing, thanks to the steady rise in temperature for the past two days. While the nights have been quite pleasant, the relief has been short-lived.

According to officials from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature will continue to rise and is likely to touch 40 degrees Celsius. On Wednesday, the city experienced a particularly hot day as the mercury rose to 37.3 degrees Celsius, with a departure of 4.9 degrees Celsius from normal.

KS Hosalikar, deputy director general of the IMD said that winds entering the city are slowly shifting. "Earlier, we would have the north-westerly winds entering the city during the day time, but now that has shifted to the westerly winds. The heat however, is to be blamed upon the Easterly wind that flows into the city during the early hours of the morning," he said.

He added: "In previous years, we have seen the temperature consistently rise to nearly 40 degree Celsius and it is possible it can happen again."

Residents, however seem ill-prepared for the sudden rise in mercury.

Nida Chakraborty, 21, said: "I was in Andheri around 3 pm and the heat was unbearable. I found myself drinking lots of water and the weather continued to stay hot till 7 pm. It was extremely draining."