Gujarat is set to witness another week of intense monsoon activity, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several parts of the state till July 10. South Gujarat is expected to bear the brunt of the rain, while Ahmedabad is likely to experience generally cloudy skies with intermittent rain and thundershowers on Saturday.
According to the IMD, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at most places in North Gujarat, South Gujarat and Saurashtra over the next three days. While rainfall activity is expected to ease gradually over North Gujarat and Kutch later in the week, widespread showers are likely to persist over South Gujarat throughout the forecast period.
Red, Orange alerts issued
The IMD has issued a Red Alert for Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Daman and Dadra & Nagar Haveli for July 4, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy spells. The highest-level alert has also been issued for Amreli, Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Diu. The Red Alert will remain in force over parts of South Gujarat till July 7, with Bhavnagar also likely to witness extremely heavy rainfall on July 5.
An Orange Alert has been sounded for Aravalli, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Devbhumi Dwarka, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places. Similar warnings have been issued for parts of Central Gujarat and Saurashtra over the coming days.
The weather office has also warned of moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph across almost all districts, including Ahmedabad.
The forecast indicates that South Gujarat districts, particularly Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari and Valsad, are likely to continue receiving extremely heavy rainfall till July 7 before the intensity gradually subsides. Heavy showers are also expected to persist in parts of Saurashtra, especially Amreli, Bhavnagar and Gir Somnath.
During the past 24 hours, monsoon activity remained vigorous across the state. Extremely heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places in Mehsana, Valsad, Gir Somnath and Junagadh districts, while very heavy rain lashed parts of Valsad, Daman, Junagadh, Amreli, Jamnagar and Porbandar.
The IMD said conditions remain favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance over the remaining parts of Gujarat during the next four to five days. A low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal, coupled with a persistent offshore trough along the west coast, is expected to sustain widespread rainfall across the state.
Ahmedabad forecast
Ahmedabad is expected to witness generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers through Saturday. The city may also experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places.