Gujarat Faces Heatwave Alerts and Unseasonal Rain: Rajkot Hits 42.2°C
Gujarat is grappling with a dual weather challenge, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of extreme heat and unexpected rainfall across the state. Heatwave alerts have been issued for multiple regions, with Porbandar under an orange alert and Kutch, Bhavnagar, and Diu facing yellow alerts. At the same time, 17 districts are bracing for scattered showers, signaling an unusual weather pattern for this time of year.
On Tuesday, Rajkot emerged as the state’s hottest spot, recording a blistering 42.2°C. Other cities, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and four additional locations, also saw temperatures climb past 40°C, with similar conditions expected to persist today.
Heatwave Alerts
- Orange Alert: Porbandar
- Yellow Alert: Kutch, Bhavnagar, Diu
Rainfall Forecast
A cyclonic circulation over central Maharashtra is driving moderate rain and thunderstorms toward Gujarat, according to the IMD. The following regions are expected to experience rainfall today:
- North Gujarat: Sabarkantha, Aravalli
- Central Gujarat: Vadodara, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Chhota Udepur
- South Gujarat: Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Navsari, Dang, Valsad, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli
- Saurashtra: Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, Diu
Temperature Trends
Rajkot led the heat surge on April 1 with a high of 42.2°C, while six other locations—among them Porbandar, Kandla, and Diu—also exceeded 40°C. The IMD predicts that temperatures from April to June will rise 1-3°C above normal, with heatwaves potentially lasting up to eight days, far longer than the typical two-day spells seen in April.
Despite the soaring heat, unseasonal rain is on the horizon for Gujarat, with a 33% to 55% probability of showers across the northern, central-east, and Saurashtra regions, adding complexity to the state’s weather outlook.