Mercury rebounds to 43.3°C in Ahmedabad; 1.6-degree jump in 24 hours

Ahmedabad: Just when Amdavadis thought they might catch a breather, the summer heat cranked right back up. After a brief dip to 41.7°C on Thursday, the maximum temperature surged by 1.6 degrees in a day, hitting a scorching 43.3°C on Friday. According to the India meteorological department (IMD), this daytime peak stands 1.4 degrees above the seasonal average, while a stifling minimum temperature of 29°C — more than a degree higher than normal — offered absolutely no respite even after sundown.

The relentless heat is here to stay. The IMD forecasts Saturday’s maximum temperature to hover around 43°C, with the broader outlook indicating no significant relief across Gujarat over the next seven days. Scorching conditions exceeding 40°C are expected to persist in isolated pockets throughout the week.

While South Gujarat and parts of Saurashtra, including Navsari, Valsad, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir Somnath, and Bhavnagar, might witness light to moderate rain or thundershowers on Saturday, Ahmedabad will remain completely dry. The state’s weather pattern is projected to turn uniformly arid from Sunday onwards.

On Friday, Ahmedabad clocked the state’s second-highest temperature at 43.3°C, trailing just behind Surendranagar, which baked at 43.8°C. Neighbouring Gandhinagar recorded 43°C, while Rajkot and Amreli simmered at 42.9°C and 42.3°C, respectively.