Surat: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light-to-moderate rainfall in certain parts of Gujarat around Diwali and the Gujarati New Year.

According to the latest IMD forecast, light rain is likely in districts including Narmada, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, and Valsad over the next 24 hours, until 8:30 am on October 18. After a brief pause, light to moderate rain may return to South Gujarat districts, including Dang, Navsari, and Valsad, during October 20–22, while the rest of the state is expected to remain largely dry.

The weather system is influenced by an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area at lower and middle tropospheric levels, tilting southward with height. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is expected to form over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep off the Kerala-Karnataka coast around October 18, 2025. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression within the next 48 hours.

Some talukas in South Gujarat received rainfall on Tuesday, with Vaghai in Dang recording 24 mm and Vansada in Navsari 21 mm, while Dharampur, Valsad, and Pardi recorded less than 10 mm.

Maximum temperatures on Thursday were highest in Surendranagar at 36.8°C, followed by Deesa (36.5°C), Ahmedabad, Surat, and Veraval (36.2°C each). Other readings included Kandla Port (36.3°C), Gandhinagar and Naliya (35.5°C), Porbandar and Keshod (35.4°C), Bhuj (35.2°C), and Vadodara (35°C). The lowest minimum temperature of 17.3°C was recorded in Naliya, Kutch.

No significant changes in maximum temperatures are expected over the next seven days, although a gradual rise of 2–3°C is likely.