The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Ahmedabad under a Red Alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours and urging residents to remain cautious.
According to the latest IMD forecast, the city is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places, with isolated spells of extremely heavy rain, until 8.30 am on August 2.
In view of the forecast, the Ahmedabad district administration has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges on Friday. Anganwadis will also remain closed until August 3 as a precautionary measure.
The city continued to receive widespread rainfall on Friday, recording an average of 19 mm between 6 am and 3 pm. Data released by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) showed that Asarwa received the highest rainfall at 34.50 mm, followed by Kalupur and Chandlodiya with 33 mm each, and Ranip with 31 mm.
Several other localities, including Chandkheda, Motera, Bodakdev, Science City, Gota, Thaltej, Memnagar, Dudheshwar, Naroda and Kotarpur, recorded more than an inch of rain during the same period.
As a safety measure, the AMC cancelled the Jaya Parvati Vrat night celebrations scheduled at Kankaria Lake and the Sabarmati Riverfront. Public access to all lake gardens has also been suspended until August 1.
The heavy inflow of water into the Sabarmati River prompted authorities to open 28 gates of the Vasna Barrage to regulate water levels and release excess water downstream. Officials have advised residents living along the riverbanks to remain alert and follow instructions issued by the administration.