Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions across several districts of Gujarat over the next week, with temperatures expected to gradually rise by 2°C to 3°C after the next 48 hours.

According to the IMD’s mid-day weather bulletin issued on Thursday, heatwave conditions are likely to begin from May 9 in isolated parts of Rajkot, Dwarka and Kutch before expanding to several districts of north, central and Saurashtra regions in the following days.

The weather department said maximum temperatures are likely to remain above 40°C at isolated pockets across Gujarat during the next seven days. Rajkot recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 42.9°C on Wednesday, which was above normal for the region.

On May 10, heatwave conditions are expected in Banaskantha, Vadodara and Surat districts, along with Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Dwarka, Gir Somnath and Kutch in Saurashtra-Kutch, besides Diu.

The warning is expected to intensify further on May 11 and May 12, when districts including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Patan, Anand and Banaskantha are likely to experience heatwave conditions at isolated places.

The IMD has advised people, especially infants, elderly citizens and those suffering from chronic illnesses, to avoid prolonged heat exposure. Residents have also been urged to wear lightweight cotton clothing, cover their heads while outdoors, and stay hydrated.

Meanwhile, isolated light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely on Thursday in districts including Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Tapi and Dang, as well as parts of Saurashtra such as Rajkot, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath and Botad. However, dry weather is expected to prevail across the state for the remainder of the forecast period. DeshGujarat