Gujarat is witnessing a mix of scorching heat and pre-monsoon showers, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting rainfall in parts of South Gujarat and Saurashtra even as temperatures continue to hover between 40°C and 42°C across several regions.
According to Ahmedabad Meteorological Centre Director A.K. Das, light to moderate rainfall is likely in South Gujarat districts, including Navsari, Tapi, Dang and Valsad, as well as the Union Territories of Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, between June 8 and June 14.
The weather department said rainfall activity is expected to increase after the first five days of the forecast period. Cloudy conditions and isolated showers may also extend to parts of North Gujarat. Winds are likely to blow at speeds of 15 to 25 kmph during this period.
In Saurashtra, weather conditions are expected to remain largely dry over the next four days. However, districts such as Amreli, Bhavnagar and Gir Somnath may receive light to moderate rainfall between June 12 and June 14, bringing some relief from the prevailing heat.
While the southwest monsoon usually reaches Gujarat around June 15, the IMD has not yet announced an official date for its arrival in the state.
The weather department has also indicated that there is unlikely to be any major change in maximum temperatures over the next seven days. Along the coast, southwesterly to westerly winds are expected to blow at speeds of 15 to 20 knots, occasionally reaching 25 knots.
Among the state’s major cities, Ahmedabad and Rajkot recorded the highest maximum temperature of 41.9°C, followed by Surendranagar at 41.5°C, Gandhinagar at 41.0°C and Vallabh Vidyanagar at 40.3°C.
The current pre-monsoon weather pattern has created a “double season” effect across Gujarat, with intense heat during the day and cloudy, breezy or rainy conditions in some areas during the evening.