Heat wave in Guj to continue for three days: Met department

Temperatures soared in many parts of Gujarat Saturday and the heat wave will continue over the next three days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The maximum temperature in Ahmedabad touched 43.6 degree Celsius, 2.3 degrees above normal, and was very likely to touch 45 degree Celsius in coming days, local IMD centre said.

Temperatures in most parts of the state are likely to rise by 2-3 degrees in the next couple of days, with heat wave conditions likely to prevail in north and south Gujarat as well as Saurashtra-Kutch regions till Monday, the IMD said.

Surat, Valsad and other cities in south Gujarat are likely to witness "severe heat wave conditions" Sunday, it said.

Scorching weather will also prevail in Banaskantha, Sabarkantha and Surat till Monday, it said.

The heat, though tolerable, could cause "moderate health concern for vulnerable people, that is, infants, elderly, and people with chronic diseases", the Met department said.

It advised people to avoid exposure to heat, wear light-coloured, loose, cotton clothes and keep the head covered.

The highest temperature on Saturday was recorded at Kandla Port at 45.2 degree Celsius.

Among the hottest cities Saturday were Surendranagar (45 degree Celsius), Amreli (44.9), Rajkot (44.7), Vadodara (44.4), Valsad (44).

Surat, Gandhinagar and Deesa recorded maximum temperatures of 43.2, 43.4 and 43.4 degree Celsius, respectively.