Mumbai: witnessed a pleasant change in weather on Wednesday morning, as cloudy skies and gentle winds brought much-needed relief from recent smog and rising pollution levels. Visuals from Nariman Point and Marine Drive showed overcast conditions, while the early morning temperature settled at around 26°C, accompanied by a noticeable improvement in air quality across several parts of the city.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is expected to experience partly cloudy conditions through the day, with the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning. Temperatures are likely to range between 26°C and 34°C.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Mumbai, has issued a yellow alert for the city and surrounding regions, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light to moderate rainfall, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph at isolated locations. Weather officials have indicated that light rain and thundershowers are likely to persist till April 2.

The sudden shift in weather comes at a time when large parts of Maharashtra have been placed on alert for lightning, gusty winds, rainfall and even hailstorms over the next few days.

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s air quality has shown a marked improvement. Data from monitoring platforms recorded the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 31 in the early hours, placing it in the ‘good’ category. This follows an even better reading of 21 recorded a day earlier, also in the ‘good’ range, offering major relief to residents after weeks of poor air conditions.

The improvement is largely due to the recent action taken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) against construction sites violating pollution control norms. Both private and public infrastructure projects were targeted as part of the drive to curb dust pollution.

However, the improvement in air quality has not been uniform across the city. Mumbai Central emerged as a pollution hotspot, recording an AQI of 143, categorised as ‘poor’, followed by Malad West at 123, also in the ‘poor’ range.

Meanwhile, several areas reported significantly cleaner air. Gamdevi recorded an AQI of 8, while Andheri also reported 8. Ghatkopar West and Walkeshwar recorded AQI levels of 13 each, and Kandivali West stood at 17, all within the ‘good’ category.

As per standard AQI classifications, values between 0 and 50 are considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘moderate’, 101 to 200 ‘poor’, 201 to 300 ‘unhealthy’ and above 300 ‘severe’.

Mumbai: The city wakes up to sunny and humid weather with light winds on Monday morning, with noticeably improved air quality. The temperature at 9 am was recorded at 28 degrees Celsius, with maximum temperature expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius today.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, the city is very likely to witness dry weather. Although no heatwave-like conditions are predicted for today, the coming days could see cooler weather due to a weather alert warning of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the districts of Khandesh, Marathwada, western Vidarbha, as well as the ghat areas of central Maharashtra between March 30 and April 4. Not just this, in Mumbai and Thane, light rain and thundershowers have been predicted for tomorrow, March 31, giving citizens some respite from the heat.

Data from AQI monitoring platforms showed the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 70 in the early hours, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. However, the improvement is not uniform across the city.

Several areas reported unhealthy air quality levels, like Mirashi Nagar at 168, and Reserve Bank of India Staff quarters Station 2 recorded AQI at 163. Additionally, the overall AQI in Thane was 80, while Navi Mumbai recorded poor category air at 104.

The Chief Minister’s Office, Maharashtra, has issued a weather alert warning of thunderstorms and stormy rainfall across parts of the state between March 30 and April 4. According to the CMO office, the weather alert warning has been issued in the districts of Khandesh, Marathwada, western Vidarbha, as well as the ghat areas of central Maharashtra.

Due to this, an advisory has been issued for farmers saying that they should plan their agricultural activities according to these weather conditions in the coming days.

Citing an appeal from the Agriculture Department, CMO added, as the harvesting of rabi crops is underway, the harvested crops should be stored in a safe place or covered. Additionally, necessary precautions should be taken to prevent crop damage from stormy winds, rain, and possible hailstorms. Citizens and farmers have also been advised to avoid standing under trees, under tin sheds, as well as near electric transformers, electric poles, and power lines.

At least six people lost their lives and five others sustained injuries after a series of avalanches struck the Srinagar-Leh National Highway on Friday, burying nearly a dozen vehicles under heavy snow.

Officials confirmed that the incident occurred along the stretch between Zero Point and Minimarg near Zoji La during the afternoon hours. The sudden snow slides trapped multiple cars, leading to casualties and injuries.

Following the tragedy, VK Saxena said he is closely overseeing the situation. He stated that district authorities and senior police officials in Kargil have been instructed to rush to the site and coordinate rescue operations.

Emergency response teams, including disaster relief forces and the Border Roads Organisation, have been placed on high alert to assist in relief efforts and clear the affected highway stretch. Rescue operations are currently underway as authorities work to locate any survivors and restore connectivity.