Ahmedabad recorded a scorching 40°C on Tuesday, making it the hottest city among eight major metropolitan areas in India. New Delhi and Pune followed closely behind with temperatures of 36°C. Other cities like Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad recorded 33°C, while Chennai remained relatively cooler at 32°C. The extreme temperatures reflect the intensity of the ongoing heat wave in Gujarat, with Ahmedabad bearing the brunt of the heat.

The temperature in Ahmedabad was 2.8°C above normal for this time of year, and the city offered no relief even during the night, with the minimum temperature remaining high at 22.1°C. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the heat in Ahmedabad is expected to worsen, with temperatures likely to reach 41°C on Wednesday. The persistent heat wave is being attributed to dry conditions across Gujarat, where clear skies and strong sunlight are trapping heat in the lower atmosphere, causing a rise in temperatures.

The heat wave is not confined to Ahmedabad alone. Other cities across Gujarat also recorded high temperatures. Rajkot, Keshod, and Vallabh Vidyanagar all touched 41°C, while Bhuj in the Kutch region also recorded 41°C. In the Saurashtra and Diu region, Rajkot and Amreli recorded 40°C, and in North Gujarat, both Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar saw 40°C. Surat, while slightly cooler, recorded 37°C, and Naliya in the state had the lowest temperature of 18°C.

The IMD has issued a heat wave warning for isolated pockets in Anand district, urging people to take precautions against the extreme heat. Coastal areas in South Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch are also likely to experience discomfort due to the combined effects of heat and humidity. Despite a slight dip of 2-3°C in temperatures over the next three days, the heat wave is expected to continue, with temperatures set to rise again afterward.

Health experts are advising people to avoid direct sun exposure, especially during peak hours, and to stay hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. Consuming buttermilk and onions before stepping out can help the body stay cool, while light-colored clothing can offer some relief. With the dry weather expected to persist for the next seven days, residents of Ahmedabad and other cities in Gujarat are urged to take necessary precautions as the hot spell continues.

The prolonged heat wave is a reminder of the growing impact of climate change on weather patterns, and experts warn that extreme temperatures may become more common in the coming years.

AM.