The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an immediate Nowcast warning for several parts of Gujarat, cautioning that thunderstorms accompanied by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, lightning and strong winds are likely over the next three hours.
The highest level of warning, a Red Alert, has been issued for Kutch, Banaskantha and Patan, where severe weather conditions are expected. Residents in these districts have been advised to remain indoors, avoid non-essential travel and stay away from flood-prone areas.
An Orange Alert has been declared for Morbi, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Botad, Amreli, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Mehsana, Narmada, Tapi, Dang, Navsari, Valsad and the Surat region. These districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Meanwhile, a Yellow Alert has been issued for Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, Kheda, Vadodara, Panchmahal and Dahod, where light to moderate rainfall and isolated thunderstorms are expected.
The weather office has urged people to exercise caution during the forecast period. Residents have been advised to avoid open fields, trees and electricity poles during lightning activity, while motorists have been asked to drive carefully as heavy rain may reduce visibility and lead to waterlogging.
Authorities have also appealed to people living in low-lying and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow instructions issued by district administrations and disaster management agencies until the weather situation improves.