Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers in several parts of Gujarat over the next seven days, while issuing a thunderstorm warning with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph for many districts on June 4 and June 5.

According to the latest weather bulletin issued on Thursday afternoon, isolated rainfall was recorded in parts of North Gujarat and Saurashtra during the past 24 hours, while the rest of the state remained largely dry. Rajkot recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 42.9°C.

The IMD said favourable conditions are developing for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon over parts of western and southern India during the next two to three days. Southwesterly to westerly winds continue to prevail across the region.

For June 4–5, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely at isolated places across North Gujarat, including Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod and Mahisagar districts. Similar weather conditions are expected in South Gujarat districts such as Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari and Valsad, as well as in Daman and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

In Saurashtra and Kutch, districts including Rajkot, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Gir Somnath, Botad and Kutch are also likely to receive isolated rain and thundershowers.

The IMD has issued a thunderstorm warning for June 4 and June 5, cautioning residents about lightning strikes and strong surface winds of 40–50 kmph. No thunderstorm warnings have been issued beyond June 5, though isolated rain activity is expected to continue in parts of South Gujarat and coastal Saurashtra until June 11.

Authorities have advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, stay away from water bodies and unplug electrical appliances during lightning activity. Farmers have also been cautioned about possible damage to standing crops, banana and papaya plantations, and disruptions to power and communication lines due to strong winds.

The weather department has not issued any heavy rainfall warning for Gujarat at present. Maximum temperatures across the state are expected to remain largely unchanged during the next seven days.

For Ahmedabad and surrounding areas, the forecast indicates a generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning until Friday morning. The city’s maximum temperature is likely to remain around 40°C. DeshGujarat