Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds across several parts of Gujarat on April 2 and 3, with a warning of lightning and wind speeds reaching up to 40–50 kmph in isolated areas.

According to the mid-day bulletin issued on Thursday, rainfall and thundershowers are likely in Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Patan, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Kutch, and Diu during the next 24 hours.

On April 3, rainfall activity is expected to reduce, with light showers likely only in isolated parts of Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Porbandar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Kutch, and Diu.

The IMD bulletin also stated that from April 4, the state is likely to witness dry weather.

The IMD has warned of lightning strikes and strong surface winds, which may cause damage to trees, power lines, and standing crops. Residents have been advised to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, and unplug electrical appliances as a precaution.

Meanwhile, maximum temperatures across Gujarat are expected to dip by 2–3°C over the next 24 hours before stabilising. Over the past 24 hours, the weather remained dry across the state, with Ahmedabad recording the highest maximum temperature at 37°C.

The IMD attributed the change in weather to an upper air cyclonic circulation over East Rajasthan and a trough extending across Gujarat, along with the influence of a western disturbance over Iran and Afghanistan. DeshGujarat