Mercury surges, Mumbai swelters

MUMBAI, April 2: Mumbaikars have been feeling the heat, literally, for the past few days. With the mercury surging up to an average of over 32 degrees centigrade and humidity hovering at around 85 per cent, city dwellers sweltered in the heat on a balmy Thursday.

The heat indices were all there. Urchins took ecstatic skinny dips in the cool waters off the Gateway of India, and golawalas, nimbupaniwalas and sugarcane juice vendors did brisk business. Though cool drinks were in great demand as were ice creams, good old water was still the most sought after. At Churchgate and CST station, commuters made a dash for the free drinking water stalls, some of them even leaving behind coins to express their gratitude. The weather bureau said the abnormal temperatures in the last few days have been a result of dry, easterly winds sweeping the northern part of India. “Though it’s not technically a heat wave, it has raised the temperature by at least two degrees,” its director said. Moreover, the highhumidity has left the common man feeling sticky, low, and in a lousy mood. This may continue for a few more days as the weather bureau doesn’t expect any change in present temperatures.

Temperatures might dip after a few days but the humidity may not, they said. At Azad Maidan, ubiquitous nimbupaniwalas seduced crowds away from political rallies as red-faced leaders were left explaining thin attendances. The remaining protesters, who preferred waiting in the fringes around the grounds, darted in to brave the heat only when a leader appeared. Women sat huddled covering their heads with sari pallus. The flash auto strike added to the heat, as temperatures in buses and taxis rocketed with increased crowds.