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.

Washington: US President Donald Trump had a productive conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House said on Friday, referring to the talks between the two leaders on Tuesday.

The New York Times reported that billionaire businessman Elon Musk joined the phone call between Modi and Trump on Tuesday when the two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia.

“President Trump has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and this was a productive conversation,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Elon Musk participated in a phone call on Tuesday with President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, an unusual appearance by a private citizen on a call between two heads of state during a wartime crisis.

the inclusion of Musk, confirmed by two US officials, suggests that the world’s richest man is back on better terms with the president.

Trump and Musk had a falling out last year following the billionaire’s departure from the government, where he had been tasked with slashing the work force.

The report said it is unclear why Musk was on the call or whether he spoke.

It was the first conversation between the two leaders since the West Asia conflict began on February 28.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi underlined the importance of ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible, noting that it is vital for global peace, stability and economic well-being.