India, Oct. 12 -- The city felt more like the peak of summer on Sunday, as the mercury soared to 38degC, leaving it sweltering under an unseasonable spell of heat. For those stepping out to shop for the festive season, the day presented an added challenge: negotiating crowded markets and shopping streets while looking for ways to cool down, with cold drinks, ice cream and coolers offering welcome respite from the scorching afternoon.

The city's daytime temperature breached the 37degC mark for the fourth time in as many days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording a maximum of 38degC at its Santacruz observatory, Mumbai's benchmark weather station. The reading was 4.9degC above normal and brought the city uncomfortably c...