Ahmedabad remained under the grip of severe heat on Wednesday as the city recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6°C, which was 1.7°C above normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the temperature could rise further and reach 44°C today.
The weather department, however, has predicted some relief from May 30 onwards, with chances of rain and thunderstorms in several parts of Gujarat.
According to the IMD, dry weather conditions continued across Gujarat, Saurashtra-Kutch and the Union Territories of Diu, Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli over the last 24 hours.
Officials said maximum temperatures are likely to stay above 40°C at isolated places across the state during the next five days. A gradual fall of 2°C to 4°C is expected after the next 48 hours.
Hot and humid weather conditions are also likely to prevail in coastal regions and districts including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surendranagar and Rajkot.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain along with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph in isolated parts of North Gujarat and Kutch from May 30.
Districts such as Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Dahod, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Dang and Tapi may witness thunderstorm activity between May 30 and June 3.
Parts of Saurashtra, including Amreli and Bhavnagar, are also expected to receive rainfall during this period.