Rajkot: Gujarat witnessed intense heat on Tuesday, with maximum temperatures soaring well above normal across most parts of the state, with Rajkot emerging as the hottest city at 42.0°C, according to the weather report issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) this morning.

Ahmedabad recorded a maximum temperature of 41.4°C, which was 7.2 degrees above normal, indicating unusually high heat for early March. The minimum temperature in the city was also above normal at 22.5°C, showing a rise of 4.6 degrees, while humidity dropped to as low as 16% in the evening, increasing discomfort due to dry heat.

Several other cities also reported temperatures above 40°C. Baroda touched 41.0°C, Bhuj 41.0°C, Deesa 41.0°C, Porbandar 40.9°C, Gandhinagar 40.8°C, Veraval 40.8°C, Surat 40.2°C, and Amreli 40.3°C. In many of these locations, temperatures were 5 to 9 degrees above normal, indicating widespread heat conditions across the state.

Rajkot recorded the hottest day among major cities, with the maximum temperature 8 degrees above normal, while the neighbouring Union Territory of Diu showed the largest departure, with 10 degrees above normal, reaching 41.3°C.

Coastal locations also experienced unusual heat. Bhavnagar recorded 39.6°C, Kandla 39.5°C, and Veraval 40.8°C, all significantly above seasonal averages. Even hill and tribal regions such as Dang reported temperatures close to 39°C, suggesting that the heat is affecting nearly the entire state.

Weather officials indicated that temperatures are currently running well above normal for March, and such conditions may continue over the next few days if no weather system develops over the region. Furthermore, a heatwave warning has been issued till tomorrow in parts of the state. DeshGujarat