Ahmedabad: On Sunday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees celsius, 3.2 degrees higher than normal, and — according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) — the third-highest ever temperature for the city in April. The same reading was recorded on April 29 last year.The maximum temperature on Monday is likely to be 45 degrees, the IMD forecast said. Moreover, Sunday’s 44.8 degrees was the second-highest maximum temperature in Gujarat, after 45.2 degrees recorded in Kandla. Other cities and towns that recorded temperatures above 44 degrees included Amreli (44.5 degrees), Rajkot (44.4 degrees), Surendranagar (44.3 degrees), and Gandhinagar (44.2 degrees). Temperatures remained above 41 degrees in most places. Vadodara recorded 43 degrees and Surat 41.6 degrees. Minimum temperatures remained above 25-26 degrees at most weather stations. On Sunday, heatwave conditions prevailed in parts of Surat, Patan, Rajkot, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Morbi, and Kutch. On Monday, heatwave conditions with Yellow Alert are likely in parts of Ahmedabad, Patan, Rajkot, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Botad, Morbi, and Kutch. “No large change in maximum temperatures during the next three days; thereafter, a gradual fall by 2-3°C very likely over the region,” the IMD forecast for Gujarat said. “Maximum temperatures are very likely to be in the range of 41-45°C over a few pockets of inland areas of Gujarat and in the range of 35-40°C over isolated pockets of coastal areas during the next three days.” Tejal Patel, a resident of Ghatlodia, said, “The heat was scorching right from the morning. I was out at 10am to cast my vote and I was sweating profusely.” Patel said, “The afternoon was unbearable even after drinking water and other fluids. Temperatures do not seem to reduce much even at night.”
