Heavy rain, strong winds likely across Gujarat, IMD issues yellow alert in several districts

Days after intense heat across Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast strong winds and rain in several parts of the state over the next five days, and issued a yellow alert for multiple districts.

The IMD said gusty winds at 40-50 kmph and light to moderate rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, are likely in various districts, including Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

The department has issued a yellow alert for rain in several districts on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, an alert is in place for the districts of Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Surat, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Junagadh, and Amreli.

On Saturday, a yellow alert has been issued for Aravalli, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath and Diu.

Meanwhile, Ahmedabad recorded a maximum temperature of 41.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, around two degrees below normal. The temperature is expected to remain around 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days.

The IMD has forecast winds of 40-50 kmph and light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Ahmedabad over the next five days.

However, local weather experts differ on the possibility of rainfall in the city, saying there is no likelihood of rain in Ahmedabad over the next 10 days and that only strong winds are expected.

Cities including Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara and Anand may witness more rainy conditions over the next two days, and citizens have been advised to exercise caution during strong winds and thunderstorms.