The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall with thundershowers across Gujarat from May 3 to 8, offering much-needed relief from the ongoing heatwave. The wet spell is expected to begin on Saturday, starting in Kachchh and the northern districts of Banaskantha and Sabarkantha, where showers accompanied by thunderstorms are likely.
On May 4, Sunday, it is likely to cover more districts – Mehsana, Patan, Aravalli, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Bhavnagar, Amreli and Gir Somnath.
Also, on May 5 and 6, the IMD has issued a forecast of light to moderate rainwith thundershowers in the districts Banaskantha, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Patan, Aravalli, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Valsad, Navsari, Dang, Bhavnagar, Amreli and Kutch, Gir Somnath, Rajkot, Porbandar and Junagadh.
As of May 7, rain will still pour in districts of South Gujarat, namely Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Valsad, Navsari, and in the districts of Saurashtra, namely Amreli and Bhavnagar.
On May 8, Kachchh, Morbi, Banaskantha, Patan, Botad, Bhavnagar, Amreli and Gir Somnath along with Anand, Vadodara and Bharuch are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall with thundershowers.
On Thursday, Rajkot recorded the highest maximum temperature in Gujarat at 43.6°C, followed closely by Ahmedabad at 43.5°C, Gandhinagar at 43°C, Deesa and Amreli at 42.8°C, Bhuj at 41°C, and Vadodara at 40.6°C.