Amdavadis feel the heat as mercury rises

Amdavadis are literally sweating it out as mercury levels soar high. The State Meteorological Department stated that Gujarat is experiencing a heat wave as the temperature rises to 41.4 degrees: five degrees above normal.

R. K. Kankane, Director and Head of the Meteorological Department said, "It is not unusual for the State to experience a heat wave during this time of the year. The heat wave has been caused due to the presence of anti-cyclonic circulation over Gujarat which has caused a subsidence. Furthermore, the northwesterly wind brings hot and dry air from Rajasthan. This combined effect has caused the rise in temperature."

Kankane explained that whenever there is a plus six-degree departure from the normal maximum temperature, it is termed as a heat wave condition. So when there is a sudden change in the maximum temperature, heat wave prevails. "The normal maximum temperature for Ahmedabad during this time is 36 degrees Celsius, but today it recorded nearly 41.4 degrees Celsius. Similarly, Vadodara in March records around 36.4 degrees, but today it recorded 41.9 degrees." He further said, "He expects the present heat-wave to last for the next 48 hours."

Republished from Indian Express