Gujarat Gets Temporary Relief from Heat, Heatwave to Return Soon
Gujarat saw a brief break from intense heat on April 11, as temperatures dropped by 3 to 5°C due to a change in wind direction from the northwest to the southwest. However, this cooling trend is expected to be short-lived, with the heat projected to return in the coming days.
Major cities experienced noticeable drops in temperature. Ahmedabad, which recorded 43.3°C on April 10, fell to 37.8°C by April 11. Gandhinagar saw a decline from 43.2°C to 37.0°C, while Rajkot’s temperature dropped from 43.0°C to 40.3°C. Other cities like Vadodara, Amreli, and Bhuj also reported significant reductions.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions from April 15 to 17 in Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Kutch. Rajkot has been added to the alert for April 16 and 17. During this period, temperatures across the state may rise between 40°C and 44°C.
Weather expert Ambalal Patel forecasts light, unseasonal rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds in districts such as Banaskantha, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Anand, Rajkot, and Morbi. This could provide temporary relief until April 14.
In Bhavnagar, areas like Subhashnagar, Mastrambapa Temple, and Vartej witnessed sudden rain, leading to waterlogging. While it cooled the atmosphere, concerns have been raised about its impact on mango crops.
The Dholera region, particularly Bhadiyad, experienced unseasonal rain and hailstorms, causing worry among local farmers. Neighboring areas, including Dhandhuka, also reported cloudy skies and showers, putting crops at risk.
To combat the heat, public relief initiatives have been introduced. Cold buttermilk was distributed at Lunavada ST Depot in Mahisagar, while the Rajkot Municipal Corporation installed 38 coolers at 19 BRTS bus stations.
Other weather effects were seen across Gujarat:
- Dust storms affected visibility in Vadodara.
- Mahisagar experienced strong, cooling winds.
- Fewer people were seen on Ahmedabad’s Atal Bridge.
- Vegetable prices have surged by ₹100–400 per 20 kg due to the heatwave.