Be prepared for a hot, hot voting day

Amdavadis stay hydrated as mercury is likely to touch 42 degree Celsius as the State goes to poll today. IMD predicted, “Weather is dry in all districts. Westerly to northwesterly winds will prevail at lower levels.”

While Surendranagar at 41.9°C was the hottest place in the State on Monday, it was followed by Ahmedabad which registered a maximum of 41.6°C.

Places like Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Deesa, Vadodara and Bhuj recorded maximum temperature at 40°C. Manorama Mohanty at IMD said, “It is advisable that people go and vote in the morning. For the next five days, the temperature across the State will remain around 41-42°C.”

Dr Bharat Shah, a consulting physician with a government hospital, said, “Everybody must vote but they must also take precautions against the heat. People should preferably wear cotton clothes, cover their heads with hat or umbrella, and drink liquids at regular intervals.

Ideally, voters should go to booths between 7 am and 9 am or in the evening between 4 pm and 6 pm.”