“The windows were rattling, and it broke my sleep around 5.30am. The house was filled with a layer of dust as we forgot to close the windows,” recounted Nishtha Sheth, a resident of Ahmedabad, capturing the chaos that unfolded in the early hours of Thursday.
Ahmedabad experienced a brief but intense dust storm that swept through the city, accompanied by strong gusts of wind that reduced visibility in several localities. The storm was so severe that inbound flights were diverted to Indore, highlighting the disruptive impact of the weather.
As the day progressed, sporadic showers were reported in the evening, with light drizzle noted in areas such as SG Highway, Bopal, and Chandkheda. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) linked these weather conditions to an upper air cyclonic circulation over west Rajasthan, which has been influencing the region’s climate.
On Thursday, Ahmedabad recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2°C and a minimum of 22.5°C. Relative humidity levels fluctuated throughout the day, ranging from 49% in the morning to 31% by evening. Strong winds, reaching speeds of 15 to 40 km/h, were prevalent, with gusts peaking at 70 km/h.
Despite the widespread weather activity, no deaths or major disasters have been reported. However, the disruption has raised concerns among farmers, particularly as they face the risk of crop damage due to unseasonal rain and hail during the critical harvesting period.
As the IMD forecasts light to moderate rain or thundershowers in Ahmedabad over the next 24 hours, residents remain on alert. The effects of the recent weather patterns are still unfolding, and farmers are particularly anxious about the potential impact on their crops.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding claims of heavy rains in the outskirts of Ahmedabad, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the current weather conditions. With the harvest season underway, the stakes are high for those reliant on stable weather.
