Ahmedabad: After a brief, three-day flirtation with comparatively cooler weather, Ahmedabad has re-entered the furnace. The city's maximum temperature climbed to 43.2 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees above the seasonal average, on Thursday, effectively ending the short-lived respite. While parts of Gujarat recently enjoyed a dip in the mercury due to local weather shifts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns that the cool phase is officially over.
The minimum temperature settled at 27.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.1 degrees higher than normal. The immediate outlook is a steady simmer. Forecasters expect temperatures to hold steady around 43 degrees Celsius on Friday before a gradual climb of 2-3 degrees kicks in across the region.
Heatwave Conditions Expected
Maximum temperatures are very likely to be above 40 degrees Celsius at isolated pockets of Gujarat during the next seven days, forecasts IMD. From Saturday onwards, several parts of the state are likely to experience heatwave conditions in several areas of north and central Gujarat and parts of Saurashtra.
Yellow Alert Issued
A yellow alert has been issued for Monday and Tuesday, with Ahmedabad expected to hit the 44-degree Celsius mark as a heatwave sweeps through North and Central Gujarat. Ahmedabad is not the only city feeling the singe. Surendranagar topped the charts at a blistering 43.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Rajkot with 42.7 degrees Celsius, Kandla with 42.6 degrees Celsius, and Amreli with 42.3 degrees Celsius.
It is time to pull out the umbrellas and stay hydrated as summer is doubling down. Residents are advised to take precautions against the intense heat, including avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours, wearing light clothing, and drinking plenty of water.
The IMD has urged people to be vigilant and follow safety guidelines to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration. The heatwave is expected to persist for several days, with no immediate relief in sight.
