Widespread rainfall across Gujarat on Sunday brought a significant dip in temperatures, with several areas recording maximum temperatures more than 8°C below normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts, with the forecast extending until July 5.
Widespread Showers, Sharp Temperature Drop
Rainfall was recorded in 160 talukas across the state. Kadi in Mehsana received the highest rainfall at 91 mm (3.58 inches) till 6 pm. The showers brought relief from the heat, especially in Gandhinagar, which reported the lowest maximum temperature in the state at 28.2°C — a drop of 8.8°C below normal.
Other cities saw similar trends:
- Ahmedabad: 28.6°C (8.2°C below normal)
- Deesa: 29.4°C (8°C below normal)
- Mahuva: 29.6°C
- Surendranagar: 29.8°C
- Dwarka recorded the state’s highest at 34.9°C.
Rainfall Forecast and Alerts
According to the IMD, the current spell of rain is due to multiple weather systems:
An upper air cyclonic circulation over south Rajasthan and adjoining north Gujarat.
An east-west trough extending from this system to a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal.
Another cyclonic circulation over the north Arabian Sea.
These systems are expected to bring heavy rainfall across Gujarat till July 5.
On July 2 and 3, an orange alert has been issued for:
- Navsari
- Valsad
- Surat
- Sabarkantha
- Aravalli
Sunday’s Heavy Rainfall – Key Talukas:
- Viramgam (Ahmedabad): 84 mm
- Kalol (Gandhinagar): 52 mm
- Umarpada (Surat): 49 mm
- Detroj (Ahmedabad): 47 mm
- Savli (Vadodara): 41 mm
- Bavla (Ahmedabad): 31 mm
- Vyara & Songadh (Tapi): 31 mm & 29 mm
- Khergam (Navsari): 28 mm
- In the past 24 hours till Sunday:
- Chikhli (Navsari): 88 mm
- Valsad: 82 mm
- Vapi: 66 mm
Impact on Infrastructure
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC):
Gujarat has so far received 278.90 mm of rainfall, or 31.62% of its average seasonal rainfall.
- Out of 206 dams,
- 19 are on high alert
- 13 on alert
- 14 on warning level
- The roads and buildings department reported:
- 4 state highways closed (in Banaskantha, Vadodara, Narmada, Surendranagar)
- 85 panchayat roads shut, including:
- 27 in Navsari
- 10 in Valsad
- 8 in Bhavnagar
With more rain expected, authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and citizens are advised to stay updated and exercise caution in low-lying or flood-prone areas.