Severe Heat Wave Continues in Many Districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat

21-Apr-2025 11:34 AM

New Delhi. A severe heat wave continues to grip several districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, with maximum temperatures expected to fluctuate by 2-3°C in the coming days.

This extreme heat is likely to impact Rabi crops in Rajasthan and both Rabi and Zaid crops in Gujarat.

Falling water levels in dams and reservoirs have added to the challenges, making irrigation increasingly difficult.

While the western disturbance brought rain to Delhi-NCR and hilly states like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on April 18, most parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat remained dry.

Temperatures surged especially in Saurashtra and Kutch, prompting heat wave warnings in several Rajasthan districts.

Harvesting of major Rabi crops like wheat, barley, mustard, and gram is underway in Rajasthan, but high temperatures may harm the yield and quality of late-sown crops. In Gujarat, Zaid crop sowing is nearly complete, and favorable weather is now crucial for their growth.

Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh are also facing dry weather and require rainfall.

The Meteorological Department noted a lack of pre-monsoon rain in March, with hot and dry conditions persisting into mid-April.

While early cotton sowing has begun in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the major Kharif crop season will only begin in June.