Ahmedabad: The city recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6°C on Monday, which was 2.8°C above the seasonal average. It was the first time since June 18 that the daytime temperature remained below the 40°C mark. The minimum temperature settled at 29.7°C, 2.5°C above normal. Mostly, a similar situation prevailed across the state as the daytime temperature saw a fall after many days.

Cloudy skies prevailed during the day, with light drizzle reported in a few parts of the city in the afternoon. However, humidity levels remained high, making conditions uncomfortable.

Surendranagar was the only weather station in Gujarat to record a maximum temperature above 40°C on Monday, touching 40.5°C. Baroda also saw a fall in mercury, with the daytime temperature at 38.2°C, while Surat recorded 35.5°C and the state capital, Gandhinagar, recorded 39.4°C.

Meanwhile, by 8 pm, at least 23 talukas across the state had received 1 mm or more of rainfall, with Valod in Tapi district recording the highest rainfall of 52 mm.

The southwest monsoon has currently advanced up to Surat. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it is expected to progress further this week, bringing light to moderate rainfall to parts of South Gujarat and coastal Saurashtra from Tuesday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in parts of South Gujarat from Friday. DeshGujarat