Rajkot: Rajkot emerged as the hottest city in Gujarat on Wednesday, recording a maximum temperature of 42.9°C, according to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Meteorological Centre in Ahmedabad. The temperature was 1.6°C above the seasonal normal for the region.

Heatwave-like conditions prevailed across several districts, with multiple locations recording temperatures above 40°C. Amreli registered 41.9°C, followed by Surendranagar at 41.3°C and Kandla Airport at 41.2°C. Among major urban centres, Vadodara recorded 40.6°C, while Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar both touched 40°C.

In contrast, coastal regions remained relatively cooler. Dwarka recorded the lowest maximum temperature in the state at 32.4°C, followed by Veraval at 32.8°C. Naliya and Porbandar recorded 34.6°C and 34.8°C respectively.

The IMD data also reflected variations in temperature departures across the state. While Rajkot and Bhavnagar recorded temperatures above normal, Deesa registered 38.8°C, which was 1.8°C below the seasonal average. Surendranagar, despite crossing 41°C, was recorded at 0.8°C below normal for this time of the year.

With temperatures consistently crossing the 40°C mark in parts of Saurashtra and Kutch, residents have been advised to remain hydrated and follow official weather updates issued by the IMD. DeshGujarat