In the last couple of days, several regions across India have been grappling with intense heatwaves, with the Saurashtra-Kutch region of Gujarat and Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region facing the brunt of soaring temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for a heatwave in Mumbai and its nearby districts, including Thane, Palghar, and Raigad, expected to last through Friday and Saturday.

Heatwave conditions have been particularly severe in parts of Gujarat, where cities like Ahmedabad, Dessa, Surat, and Anand have reported alarming temperatures. The IMD highlighted that the Saurashtra-Kutch area, especially Porbandar, Rajkot, Gir Somnath, Surendranagar, Bhavnagar, and Kutch, experienced some of the highest figures in the state. For instance, Rajkot recorded a staggering 41.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, marking the highest temperature in Gujarat that day.

Interestingly, Ahmedabad saw a slight reprieve on Thursday, with temperatures dropping from 41.4 degrees Celsius to a still high 38.9 degrees. However, this reading is 3.8 degrees above the usual for this time of year, indicating the ongoing heat crisis.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region didn’t escape unscathed either, with some areas reporting temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. In northern parts of India, the situation is similarly dire, as daytime temperatures are averaging more than 5.1 degrees Celsius above normal.

To qualify as a heatwave, the IMD stipulates that temperatures must exceed 40 degrees Celsius in plain regions, 37 degrees along coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hill stations. As the summer progresses, residents are advised to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions against the sweltering heat.