NEW DELHI, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Heat wave Sunday affected India's western states of Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra, India's Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said.
Following soaring temperature across Gujarat, the local health department issued an Orange Alert, an indication for an increased likelihood of bad or extreme weather conditions.
According to officials, the temperature in Gujarat touched 44 degrees centigrade during the day and is likely to touch 45 degrees centigrade in coming days.
"The alert has been issued for two days because of the heat wave," the local government officials said. "People are advised to avoid go out in the sun and keep themselves hydrated by taking fluids and juices."
"Heatwave conditions are prevailing at a few places in the districts of Gujarat region namely Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Surat; in the Districts of Saurashtra-Kutch namely Bhavnagar, Veraval, Porbandar, Rajkot, Amreli, Surendranagar, Kutch and Diu, " local government officials in Gujarat said.
Surendranagar was the hottest city on Saturday with maximum temperature of 45 degrees centigrade followed by Amreli with 44.9 and Rajkot 44.7 degrees.
IMD released graphics showing severe heat wave conditions to heat wave conditions prevailing in Vidharbha, Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh on Sunday.
Reports pouring in from India's eastern state of Odisha said the mercury soared past 40 degrees at 14 places on Saturday. Titlagarh was the hottest place in the state with the temperature soaring up to 45 degrees.
Meanwhile, capital New Delhi too is reeling under scorching heat with the maximum temperature recorded 42 degrees on Sunday.
