The solar-powered flight, Solar Impulse (Si2) that is on its around-the-world trip may face its first climatic challenge in Ahmedabad. The flight, which is hangared at the city's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, may postpone its take-off from Ahmedabad a day or due to bad weather. Si2 team informed that the plane will now take off for Varanasi on March 17 against the previously scheduled March 15.

On Thursday night, several parts of the city and nearby regions witnessed thunderstorm and sporadic rains.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rain/thundershowers on Friday. Similar weather conditions are likely to remain for next two days.

"There may be thunderstorm with rain during March 14 and 15. While it will be partly cloudy sky for the subsequent two days," predicted the IMD- Ahmedabad office. The Solar Impulse, which had landed in Ahmedabad on Tuesday March 10, midnight, was scheduled to take-off for its next detination, Varanasi on March 15.

In reply to an emailed query, the Solar Impulse team informed that the take-off to Varanasi has been deferred till March 17 due to unfavourable weather conditions.

The New possible date of Departure is March 17, 2015 (as of unfavourable weather; date is subject to change), the statement said.

The plane is on a 35,000-kms around-the-world trip with its founder and chairman Bertrand Piccard and CEO and engineer, Andre Borschberg as its two pilots. As per the information shared by the Si2 Team, Andre Borschberg will take the flight to Varanasi from Ahmedabad.

The zero-fuel aircraft, which took off from Abu Dhabi on March 9 and made a pit-stop at Muscat in Oman has set a world record by crossing the arabian sea in a solar aircraft without using a drop of fossil fuel.

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