Rajkot records hottest April in 133 years

Ahmedabad: Rajkot has recorded its most cruel April in over 130 years, with temperatures hitting a blistering 46.2°C on Monday. This broke all previous April records for the city, based on data maintained by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) since 1892.
Although temperatures slightly dipped to 44.9°C on Tuesday, it still ranked as the third-hottest April day in Rajkot's history.
The fierce summer can be gauged from the fact that six of Rajkot's top 10 hottest April days have occurred this year alone, with temperatures ranging from 43.9°C to 46.2°C.
Ashok Kumar Das, director of IMD Gujarat, said that Monday's temperature was not only Rajkot's highest-ever for April, but also the second-highest for any month — only surpassed by 47.9°C in May 1977.
Rajkot's streak of intense heat stretches across the calendar — with one of its top 10 hottest days logged in January and February each, two in March, and now six in April.
Across Gujarat, the trend is similar.
An IMD analysis of data from 20 weather stations shows that 12 of them — 60% — reported at least one day this month that ranked among their 10 hottest days ever. Kandla saw five such days, Gandhinagar four, Surendranagar three, and Amreli two. Cities like Ahmedabad, Bhuj, and Porbandar also saw one record-hot day each in April.
Earlier in the month, some relief came through a brief spell of cooler winds, a Western Disturbance, and a cyclonic circulation. However, with those influences now gone, temperatures have again climbed into the 40-45°C range.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Rajkot and yellow alerts for Surendranagar, Morbi, and Kutch for Wednesday. On Tuesday, five cities and towns in Gujarat recorded maximum temperatures of 44°C or higher.
Ahmedabad: Rajkot has recorded its most cruel April in over 130 years, with temperatures hitting a blistering 46.2°C on Monday. This broke all previous April records for the city, based on data maintained by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) since 1892.
Although temperatures slightly dipped to 44.9°C on Tuesday, it still ranked as the third-hottest April day in Rajkot's history.
The fierce summer can be gauged from the fact that six of Rajkot's top 10 hottest April days have occurred this year alone, with temperatures ranging from 43.9°C to 46.2°C.
Ashok Kumar Das, director of IMD Gujarat, said that Monday's temperature was not only Rajkot's highest-ever for April, but also the second-highest for any month — only surpassed by 47.9°C in May 1977.
Rajkot's streak of intense heat stretches across the calendar — with one of its top 10 hottest days logged in January and February each, two in March, and now six in April.
Across Gujarat, the trend is similar.
An IMD analysis of data from 20 weather stations shows that 12 of them — 60% — reported at least one day this month that ranked among their 10 hottest days ever. Kandla saw five such days, Gandhinagar four, Surendranagar three, and Amreli two. Cities like Ahmedabad, Bhuj, and Porbandar also saw one record-hot day each in April.
Earlier in the month, some relief came through a brief spell of cooler winds, a Western Disturbance, and a cyclonic circulation. However, with those influences now gone, temperatures have again climbed into the 40-45°C range.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Rajkot and yellow alerts for Surendranagar, Morbi, and Kutch for Wednesday. On Tuesday, five cities and towns in Gujarat recorded maximum temperatures of 44°C or higher.