Pre-monsoon heat seems to be catching up with the southern, central, and western parts of the country. Amreli in Gujarat nearly touched the first 40°C of the season. Famous for its Khambha forest caves, the city recorded a maximum of 39.8°C, yesterday. Interiors of Rayalaseema, North Interior Karnataka, and some parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have breached the 36°C mark. Kurnool, Cuddapah, and Anantapur have touched the 38°C mark over the last 2 days. However, the state of Gujarat has been outstanding as the hottest among all, reaching the 40°C mark, early in the season.
Traditionally, the states of Gujarat on the west and Odisha on the eastern flank, are counted as the hottest states, to start with, in the pre-monsoon season. Both the states share a long coastline offering warm and sultry conditions. The interiors of both the states are known for scorching mercury levels, very early, in the month of March. Tropic of Cancer has the distinction of passing through both these states. The proximity of the coastline provides a large differential in temperatures, more so, during the day.
Most parts of Gujarat have recorded the season’s highest temperatures over the last 2 days. While, Amreli recorded 39.8°C, about 5°C above the normal, Rajkot and Baroda were close 2nd and 3rd with 37.9°C and 37.8°C, respectively. The twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar exceeded 36°C, again, 5°C above the average. Deesa, Patan, Surendranagar, Bhavnagar, and Bhuj measured mercury levels of 36-38°C. Even, the minimum temperatures were 6-8°C above the normal at most places, mentioned above.
A strong western disturbance is moving across the hilly states of North India. Its secondary system is tracking along the plains of Punjab and Haryana. Together, these are drawing moisture-laden strong winds from the Arabian Sea, cutting across the state of Gujarat. These winds and clouds may suppress the rise of temperature over the state for the next 2-3 days. Pending, clearance of weather systems from the northern plains, heat is likely to resume over most parts.