Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts of Gujarat, including the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, this week. Parts of Central and South Gujarat may also experience scattered heavy showers. In view of the weather conditions, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until August 28.

According to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), Gandhinagar, Gujarat has recorded over 84% of the seasonal average rainfall so far.

Zone-wise rainfall data shows North Gujarat leading with 87.43% of seasonal rainfall, followed by South Gujarat at 86.41%, Kutch zone at 85.08%, and Saurashtra zone at 83.51%. East-Central Gujarat recorded the lowest at 79.08% rainfall.

On the water storage front, the Sardar Sarovar Dam, the lifeline of Gujarat, is currently filled to 84% of its capacity, with 2,83,431 MCFT of water storage. Other 206 reservoirs across the state hold 4,36,135 MCFT of water, amounting to 78.18% of total capacity.

As of now, 67 dams are filled beyond 100% capacity and another 27 dams between 90–100%, placing a total of 94 dams on high alert. Additionally, 27 reservoirs with water levels between 80–90% capacity have been placed on alert, while 19 dams have been issued warnings.

To tackle any potential monsoon emergencies, the state government has deployed 12 NDRF teams and 20 SDRF teams across different districts. Relief measures have already been undertaken, with 5,191 people shifted to safer locations and 966 citizens rescued from flood-prone areas so far.

In the last 24 hours, Sankheda in Chhota Udepur district received the highest rainfall at 4 inches, followed by Umarpada in Surat district (3.90 inches), Idar in Sabarkantha (3.86 inches), Vyara in Tapi (3.54 inches), and Dabhoi in Vadodara (3.15 inches). This morning, between 6 AM and 10 AM alone, Balasinor in Mahisagar district and Vijaynagar in Sabarkantha each recorded more than 2 inches of rainfall. DeshGujarat