Several parts of Gujarat have been experiencing unseasonal rain and thunderstorms for the second day in a row, making the weather feel more like the monsoon than summer. Dark clouds and strong winds have disrupted daily life, affected local events, and caused concern among farmers.
Rainfall has mainly been reported in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, including Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, and Gir Somnath.
In Devbhoomi Dwarka district, areas like Dwarka, Khambhaliya, and Kalyanpur saw heavy rain. Kalyanpur recorded over one inch of rainfall, while Khambhaliya received around half an inch. In Pindara village, a “Shiv Katha” event had to be postponed after the venue was flooded. Nearby rural areas, including Bhatia, also reported significant rainfall.
Porbandar city and nearby regions, including Barda, experienced heavy showers along with strong winds, which led to the collapse of a mobile tower.
In Kutch, places like Gandhidham, Adipur, Bhachau, Anjar, Mundra, and Varsamedi received rain. The rainfall in Bhachau has raised concerns for the salt industry.
In Gir Somnath’s Veraval area, especially Satta Bazaar, waterlogging was reported after heavy rain. Jamnagar city, parts of Rajkot, and the Jetpur region also saw sudden weather changes and showers.
North Gujarat areas such as Vav-Tharad and Banaskantha were also affected, including villages like Thanesra, Tadav, Chandangarh, Rana, Kundariya, and Karli.
Impact on Agriculture
The untimely rain has caused damage to crops across these regions. Fields have been flooded, affecting summer crops like moong, sesame, groundnut, and cumin. Strong winds have also led to mangoes falling early in some orchards. In Bhatia village, farmers faced losses as their produce got soaked in market yards due to lack of proper shelter.
IMD Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the next 24 hours, warning of light thunderstorms and lightning in 15 districts, including Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, and Gir Somnath, along with Diu.
While the weather may calm briefly, more rain is expected in parts of North Gujarat and Kutch by April 7. People have been advised to stay cautious, especially during thunderstorms.