The state of Gujarat is the least weather-sensitive pocket. Thunderstorms and dust storms, which are the hallmark of pre-monsoon season over most parts of our country, are a rare phenomenon for Gujarat. This is the weather activity responsible for transferring excess heat as and when it builds up over a certain area. The absence of this over Gujarat leads to the accumulation of heat resulting in prolonged heatwave conditions in the interior parts. The pre-monsoon seasonal rainfall for the period of 3 months from March to May is the lowest for Gujarat across all subdivisions of India.
Last year, even against these meager values, Gujarat nearly scored a duck (0.4mm). Entire Gujarat has been reeling under extreme heat, with temperatures in excess of 40 degrees for the last 10 days or even more at some places. Various cities have recorded burning temperatures like Ahmedabad (43.8°C), Rajkot (44.0°C), Kandla (44.6°C), Deesa (43.6°C), Surendranagar (43.8°C), and Bhuj (42.0°C). The nerve-racking heat will go on unabated, only with marginal changes, for many days to come.