“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,” said local resident Nishtha Sheth, reflecting on the chaotic weather that struck Ahmedabad early Thursday morning.
The city experienced a brief but intense dust storm, which was accompanied by strong gusts of wind that reduced visibility in several localities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that strong winds, ranging from 15 to 40 km/h, were recorded, with gusts reaching up to 70 km/h.
In addition to the dust storm, sporadic showers were reported in the evening, particularly in areas such as SG Highway, Bopal, and Chandkheda. These weather conditions have raised concerns among farmers, who are currently in the midst of the harvest season and face the risk of crop damage due to unseasonal rain and hail.
Inbound flights to Ahmedabad were diverted to Indore as a precautionary measure due to the adverse weather conditions. The IMD linked the unusual weather patterns to an upper air cyclonic circulation over west Rajasthan, which has been affecting the region.
On Thursday, Ahmedabad recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2°C and a minimum of 22.5°C, with relative humidity levels fluctuating between 49% in the morning and 31% in the evening. The weather disruption has raised alarms for local farmers, who are anxious about the potential impact on their crops.
Despite the widespread weather activity, officials reported that no deaths or major disasters occurred during the storm. However, the situation remains tense as farmers await the outcome of the unpredictable weather.
The IMD has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers in Ahmedabad over the next 24 hours, which could further complicate the situation for those in the agricultural sector. Details remain unconfirmed regarding claims of heavy rains in the outskirts of Ahmedabad.
