Ahmedabad: Whether you plan to stay indoors or spend the day out, make sure to stay hydrated and wear comfortable cottons and linens to combat the relentless heat that has engulfed the city. Ahmedabad and Rajkot remained the hottest cities in Gujarat on Wednesday, with both recording a maximum temperature of 40.7°C, as most parts of the state continued to reel under above-normal heat conditions, according to the India meteorological department (IMD).The twin cities topped the temperature charts across the state, marginally edging past other cities, namely Bhuj at 40.6°C and Gandhinagar at 40.2°C.In Ahmedabad, the day temperature was 1.3°C above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 27°C, more than three degrees higher than usual, pointing to persistently warm nights. The IMD said clear skies and prevailing westerly to north-westerly winds are contributing to the steady rise in temperatures.Across Gujarat, maximum temperatures remained above normal to appreciably above normal in several pockets, particularly in Saurashtra, while the rest of the region saw no significant change. Weather remained dry across all districts, with no rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours.The IMD has indicated that there will be no major relief in the coming days. Maximum temperatures are likely to remain largely unchanged over the next four days, with isolated pockets expected to cross the 40°C mark. A gradual dip of 2-3 degrees is expected thereafter.While inland cities like Ahmedabad and Rajkot continue to face dry heat, coastal regions are likely to experience hot and humid conditions till April 18, increasing discomfort levels.With temperatures already breaching the 40°C threshold in mid-April, officials said heat conditions may intensify further in the coming weeks.Medical practitioners have cautioned citizens to take all necessary precautions to manage heat-related stress and avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours, particularly from 12 noon to 4pm.
