Heatwave conditions are expected to hit Gujarat and Rajasthan in the coming days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in some pockets of Gujarat’s Saurashtra-Kutch subdivision, particularly its coastal areas on March 12-13, and the first half of next week.
In light of these forecasts, the IMD has issued a yellow warning for this weekend in Gujarat’s Saurashtra & Kutch subdivision. These alerts may be updated or extended in response to changes in the forecast.
On Saturday, the IMD’s regional met centre in Ahmedabad issued heatwave warnings for the districts of Kachchh, Porbandar, and Gir Somnath in Gujarat. Surendranagar and Rajkot districts will join these three on Sunday.
The IMD declares a heatwave when the local temperature is expected to exceed 40°C while also rising 5°C to 6°C above the region’s normal temperature. When the temperature rises by 7°C or more above normal, a severe heatwave is declared.
Dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all real risks in such conditions, so residents of the region, particularly children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing morbidities, should avoid going outside during the afternoon hours.