Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in several parts of Gujarat for the next 24 hours, warning of possible damage to trees, crops, power lines, and weak structures.

According to the weather bulletin issued this afternoon, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are very likely at several places across the state, with wind speeds reaching 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph in some areas.

The orange alert has been issued for districts including Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Patan, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Morbi, Gir Somnath, Kutch, and Diu, where light to moderate thunderstorms with lightning and surface winds of 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, are likely. These conditions may be accompanied by light to moderate rain at a few places with isolated hailstorm activity likely.

Meanwhile, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, and Mahisagar; all districts of South Gujarat region, namely Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, and Daman and Dadra & Nagar Haveli; and districts of Saurashtra-Kutch, namely Surendranagar, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Dwarka, and Botad, have been placed under a Yellow Alert for the likelihood of light to moderate thunderstorms with lightning and surface winds of 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, accompanied by light to moderate rain.

The department has also warned of isolated heavy rainfall in Kutch, Dwarka, and Porbandar, along with the possibility of hailstorm activity in parts of North Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch.

According to the IMD bulletin, strong winds may lead to the breaking of tree branches, damage to standing crops, disruption of power and communication lines, and minor damage to kutcha houses and temporary structures. People have been advised to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, keep away from electric poles and water bodies, and unplug electrical appliances during lightning activity.

The forecast for Ahmedabad indicates light to moderate rain or thundershowers till Friday morning, with the maximum temperature around 36°C and the minimum around 22°C.

The IMD said weather conditions are expected to improve after March 20, with dry weather likely across Gujarat for the following several days. DeshGujarat