Updated at 6:15 PM: As the blazing sun continued with its fury, Ahmedabad witnessed the hottest day in its history. The city recorded 48°C as its maximum temperature today as it also broke its all-time highest maximum temperature that stood at 47.8°C recorded in 1916.
The temperature is also 6 degrees above normal, making heatwave conditions unbearable.
Published on May 19, 4:00 PM: Gujarat, particularly Ahmedabad is bearing the brunt of sun’s fury like never before. With the mercury level rising up to 46.9°C, Wednesday was the hottest day of the city in the last ten years and Thursday is expected to be even harsher as temperature may rise to 47°C. Earlier, it was in 2010, when the city recorded the highest temperature at 46.8°C, killing nearly 50 people.
Not only Ahmedabad but other parts of Gujarat are also burning with the sun’s heat like never before. Many parts of Gujarat have already crossed the 47°C mark and reeling under the severe heatwave condition. The port city of Kandla was the hottest in the state with the mercury level rising up to 48.4°C followed by Surendranagar in Saurashtra region with 47.8°C and Idar in Sabarkantha district with 47.6°C.
Further, the state capital Gandhinagar recorded the maximum temperature of 47°C, Amreli in Saurashtra reached 46.6°C and Rajkot saw the maximum temperature as 45.7°C. As per the weather officials, entire North Gujarat and Kutch region are expected to witness severe heat wave till May 21, 2016 with temperatures rising to about 47°C or even more in some parts. The heatwave alert in the state is likely to persist till May 21, 2016.
As per the official reports, four people have died due to severe heat wave condition across Gujarat on Wednesday when the maximum temperature hovered around 47°C. Of the four deaths, two are reported from Rajkot and one each from Ahmedabad and Banaskantha.
According to Skymet weather, severe heat wave condition in the state has been caused due to the movement of north westerly wave. Respite from heat can be expected from May 21 because of westerly movement of wind, which is claimed to bring moisture that will reduce temperature.
Image Credit: indainexpress.com
