By Apurva Bhatt

Mumbai’s wait for the monsoon is likely to be longer. It appears that the southwest monsoon may not keep its date with the Mumbai region since it hasn't with Kerala, where it reaches first. As for Mumbai, weather officials said forecasting would be difficult till the rains start in Kerala. The normal date of the monsoon's onset in Mumbai is June 10. Last year, the rains hit the city on June 15. "It would depend on how strong the monsoon current is to understand how long it would take to reach Mumbai," said VK Rajeev from IMD, Mumbai. 

 

Even Mumbaikars are fed up of the sweltering heat and humidity. Remarks Bharat Shaha a resident of Ghatkopar, “The heat is getting worst day by day. It should rain fast as that’s the only way of cooling the city.”

The normal onset of the monsoon in Kerala is June 1. Three days have already passed and it is likely to take 48 hours more for it to reach the southern state. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted the monsoon's onset there for May 30, with an error margin of four days. 

Meanwhile, maximum temperatures in the city remained high on Thursday. Santacruz recorded 35.8°C and Colaba 35.3°C. The minimums were 28.2°C and 29.2°C, respectively. The IMD has forecast temperatures to inch higher in the next 24 hours, with maximums likely to touch 36°C. Minimums are likely to remain around the 28°C mark. 

Humidity was 61% in Santacruz and 71% in Colaba.