Ahmedabad sizzles at 43.4°C; heatwave to persist

Ahmedabad: The mercury touched 43.4 degrees celsius on Saturday, marking the third consecutive day with the maximum temperature crossing the 43-degree mark in the city. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the maximum temperature on Sunday is expected to remain in a similar range.

The minimum temperature at 28°C was 1.3 degrees above normal, while the maximum temperature was 1.9 degrees higher than usual, IMD data showed. Even as several traffic signals remained non-functional during peak afternoon hours, commuters experienced intense heat, with noticeably thinner traffic on key roads.

There is no immediate relief in sight, according to the IMD forecast for Gujarat. “A gradual increase in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees celsius is likely over the next three days. No significant change thereafter is expected across the region. Maximum temperatures are likely to remain between 41°C and 44°C in parts of the state over the next seven days,” the forecast said.

Several regions in the state are already experiencing heatwave conditions. On Sunday, heatwave conditions are likely in parts of Banaskantha, Patan, Vadodara, Surat, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Porbandar, Amreli, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, and Kutch. From Monday onwards, parts of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are also expected to come under heatwave conditions, IMD stated.

Kandla recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 44.4°C, followed by 43.7°C in Rajkot, 43.5°C in Surendranagar, 43.4°C each in Ahmedabad and Vadodara, and 43°C in Gandhinagar, among other centres.