Ahmedabad is gearing up for a surge in temperatures this week, with forecasts indicating a rise beyond the 43°C mark. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert, urging residents to take precautions against the intense heat.
A Yellow Alert will be in effect from Monday, transitioning to an Orange Alert from Tuesday. Monday’s maximum temperature is expected to reach 43°C, with the mercury forecasted to soar to 44°C between Tuesday and Thursday. While a slight decline may follow, significant relief from the heat is unlikely.
On Sunday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 41.3°C, marginally below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature stood at 27.4°C, slightly above normal.
The Orange Alert, valid from April 29 to May 2, flags a dangerous zone of 43.1°C to 44.9°C – a range that can pose serious health risks. The IMD’s advice: stay indoors during the hottest hours, keep yourself hydrated and go easy on outdoor activity.
Across Gujarat, the weather stayed bone-dry over the past 24 hours. Parts of Saurashtra and Kutch felt the heat the hardest, with Rajkot sizzling at a state-high of 44°C. Temperatures in the region were a mixed bag – hotter than normal in some places, cooler in others.
No dramatic changes in temperature are expected over the next day, but a fresh spike of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius is on the cards soon after. Till May 3, the mercury is forecast to hover between 40°C and 44°C across Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch. While Gujarat has so far dodged an official heatwave warning, coastal pockets of South Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch could find the coming days particularly oppressive, with hot and humid conditions expected till Thursday.
The weather outlook for the coming week across Gujarat, Diu, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli remains predominantly dry, with no significant changes anticipated. Forecasts for May 4 and 5 also indicate stable conditions, with no major weather disturbances expected.
Meanwhile, cities such as Rajkot, Surendranagar, Amreli, and Bhuj recorded temperatures ranging between 42°C and 44°C. In South Gujarat, cities like Surat and Vadodara experienced relatively milder conditions, with temperatures between 34°C and 40°C; however, a gradual rise in temperatures is forecasted there as well.