TNN
Pics: Rons Bantwal
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (AF)

Mumbai, Feb 9: Mumbai on Friday beat Delhi in the chill sweepstakes. The temperature in Santa Cruz dipped to an incredible 8.5° as against the capital’s 9°.

After creating a record of sorts by breaking Delhi's minimum temperature on Friday, where does Mumbai go from here? Saturday's temperature is expected to sink even lower to 8 degrees, and Mumbaikars are waiting to see if the city breaks its own 46-year-old record of 7.4 degrees.

While Delhi is used to the intense cold, it's a new phenomenon for Mumbaikars who can no more afford to shy away from woollens (Mumbaikars are almost embarrassed to be caught in sweaters).

"Though it's not worth it to buy woollens for Mumbai's weather, I am left with no choice this time," says executive Kanchan Shivdasani.

Mumbai's temperature has been sinking since the start of February. Not only has it set a record of the second coldest in 46 years, it has also made it Mumbai's coldest February ever. "The westerly disturbance is moving across Pakistan. That is why J&K is experiencing snowstorms. The northerly winds are so strong they are bringing in cold air to the city," said K Sathi Devi, director, Area Cyclone Warning at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Colaba.

This is the first time in many years that Mumbai has beaten Delhi on the chill chart. Delhi has been reeling under a cold wave for some time now with minimum temperatures in February ranging from 2.9 degrees to 9.8 degrees. On January 2, 2008, Delhi had touched a low of 1.9 degrees.

The cold spell in Mumbai too continues and Mumbaikars are sporting sweaters even during the day with the maximum temperature on Friday in Santa Cruz being 22.3 degrees (nine degrees below normal) and in Colaba 23.1 degrees (six degrees below normal).