Mumbai, Oct. 22 -- The mercury climbed to 37.4degC in Santacruz on Wednesday, making Mumbai's suburbs the hottest district in Maharashtra. The maximum temperature was 3.4degC above normal, while the Mumbai city region recorded 36.6degC, a departure of 3.1degC from normal. The coastal belt along Konkan and Goa has been experiencing higher temperatures, said Dr Bikram Singh, head scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Mumbai. Temperatures have risen again after easing over the past few days, Singh said, adding that some relief could be on the way. The drop in temperatures across north India is expected to gradually influence north Maharashtra and other parts of the state. "This year, the pattern has been different from earlier years with heatwaves," he said. The heat came alongside moderate air pollution, with Mumbai recording an AQI of 113 on Wednesday. BKC was the most polluted location among the areas cited, with an AQI of 158, followed by Navy Nagar at 150. Kandivali West recorded the cleanest air at an AQI of 66, while Borivali East followed at 73. Wind patterns played a key role in the hazy conditions, Singh said. "With south-easterly winds being dominant, the haziness and dullness were seen. However, as northerly and north-easterly winds strengthen, they will bring down the temperatures and the resultant pollution levels," he said. Doctors said the combination of heat and pollution was leaving more people with persistent respiratory symptoms. Dr Harish Chafle, senior consultant and bronchoscopist at Gleneagles Hospital, said even people with no previous history of asthma were experiencing asthma-like symptoms that were taking longer to subside....