Ahmedabad in grip of heatwave, mercury rise to 41.3°C

The city experienced heatwave on Sunday with maximum temperature reached 41.3 degrees celsius, the fifth highest maximum temperature in Gujarat.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast indicated continuation of heatwave with yellow alert in several districts of north Gujarat and Saurashtra on Monday and Tuesday.

On Sunday, maximum temperature was 3.7 degrees higher than normal. At 22.9 degrees, the minimum temperature was also 1.5 degrees higher. According to IMD forecast, the city is likely to witness the maximum temperatures for the next five days around 41 degrees celsius.

'No large change in maximum temperatures during next 3 days, thereafter gradual fall during subsequent 2 days very likely,' mentioned the IMD forecast. Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Patan, Mehsana, Rajkot, Amreli, Porbandar, Surendranagar and Kutch would witness yellow alert due to heatwave on Monday and Tuesday, added the forecast.

Kandla was the hottest weather station with maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees, followed by Rajkot at 42.3 degrees and Amreli at 42.2 degrees. City-based physicians said that exposure to intense heat for a long time can result in health implications such as heatstroke.

They advised covering head, wearing light-coloured clothes and avoid frequent to-and-fro between outdoors and air-conditioned premises to prevent 'heat shock.' They also recommended consuming fluids to stay hydrated.