Heatwave continues in Guj, Ahmedabad boils at 45 deg C

Ahmedabad, May 17: Most parts of Gujarat continued to reel under hot weather conditions today with mercury levels in many cities hovering between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius during the day.

A severe heatwave gripped Ahmedabad and adjoining Gandhinagar today, as maximum temperature in both the cities was 45 degrees Celsius during the day, almost a notch above yesterday, according to MeT department said here.

Heat wave conditions prevailed in other parts of the state as well. Surendranagar was hottest in the state with maximum temperature of 45.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Kandla Airport 45.2, Amreli 44.9, Rajkot 44.3, Vadodara 43.9, Bhavnagar 43.8, Deesa 43.7, Vallabh Vidyanagar 42.8 and Bhuj recorded 42 degrees Celsius.

According to Met Centre officials, the heat wave is not likely to subside in the next few days. "As per our prediction, maximum temperature in Ahmedabad will remain at 45 degrees Celsius for the next couple of days.

Temperature may drop slightly only after May 20. Till then there won't be any respite from heat," Assistant Director of Met Centre, Manorama Mohanty said. Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has issued a 'red alert' for citizens, as temperature may remain around 45 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday.

"Since the temperature touched 45 degrees today, we have issued a red alert, asking citizens to be careful for next two days," Solanki added. According to AMC health officials, the heat wave has claimed two lives in the city so far.

"Apart from the two deaths, around 20 people from the city fell ill in the last couple of weeks due to severe heat. Since the heat wave will continue to prevail for the next few days, we have issued an advisory for citizens, asking them to take precautions in order to avoid getting affected from the heatwave," AMC medical officer Dr Bhavin Solanki said.

PTI