Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain and thunderstorms in parts of Gujarat between May 30 and June 2, while hot and humid conditions are expected to persist across several districts over the next two days.

According to the latest weather bulletin issued on May 27, dry weather is likely to prevail across Gujarat, Saurashtra-Kutch and the Union Territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli until May 29. Rain activity is expected to begin on May 30 in isolated pockets of North Gujarat and Kutch before gradually expanding to additional districts over the following days.

The IMD has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers on May 30 in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar and Kutch districts. On May 31, rainfall activity is expected to extend to Dahod and Chhota Udepur.

From June 1 onwards, more districts are likely to witness pre-monsoon activity. Areas including Panchmahal, Vadodara, Narmada, Amreli and Bhavnagar are expected to receive rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. On June 2, rain and thunderstorm activity may affect Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Dang, Tapi, Amreli and Bhavnagar.

The weather department has also issued thunderstorm warnings from May 30 to June 2, predicting moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph in several districts.

Meanwhile, hot and humid conditions are likely to continue on May 27 and 28 across coastal areas of Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch, along with Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surendranagar and Rajkot districts.

The IMD said maximum temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged over the next 48 hours before gradually falling by 2°C to 4°C thereafter. However, isolated pockets across the state may continue to record temperatures above 40°C over the next five days.

Surendranagar recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 44.3°C during the past 24 hours, while Ahmedabad is likely to witness mainly clear skies, with the mercury expected to touch around 43°C on Wednesday.

The weather system is developing as conditions remain favourable for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon over parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal during the next two to three days, the IMD added. DeshGujarat