Ahmedabad: The deep depression over North Gujarat and adjoining southwest Rajasthan moved slowly west-northwest at a speed of 8 kmph in the past six hours and, as of 5:30 am on Monday (September 8), lay centered over southeast Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan and Kutch, the IMD stated in a bulletin.

The system was positioned near latitude 24.8°N and longitude 70.5°E — about 120 km southeast of Chhor (Pakistan), 150 km northwest of Radhanpur (Gujarat), 150 km southwest of Barmer (Rajasthan), 180 km west-northwest of Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), and 180 km north-northeast of Bhuj (Gujarat).

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is likely to continue moving northwestwards across southeast Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan till Monday afternoon, before shifting westwards and gradually weakening into a depression.

Rainfall Forecast:

• North Gujarat, Saurashtra & Kutch: Light to moderate rain at most places with heavy to very heavy showers (7–20 cm) at a few locations and extremely heavy rainfall (≥21 cm) at isolated spots on September 8. Isolated heavy rainfall may continue on September 9.

• South Gujarat: Light to moderate rainfall with heavy to very heavy showers at isolated places on September 8, and isolated heavy rain on September 9.

Today, orange alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall are in place for Banaskantha, Patan, and Mehsana, as well as Kutch in the Saurashtra-Kutch region. Meanwhile, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Ahmedabad, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Morbi, and Dwarka are under a yellow warning.

Furthermore, moderate thunderstorms with lightning and surface winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, accompanied by light to moderate rain, are very likely at isolated places in all districts of North Gujarat — namely Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, and Mahisagar. Similar conditions are expected in all districts of South Gujarat — namely Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, as well as in Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. In the Saurashtra-Kutch region, districts including Surendranagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Botad, Kutch, and Diu are also likely to witness such weather.

On Tuesday, heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places in Gujarat’s Valsad district and in Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as in Kutch (Saurashtra-Kutch region).

After that, all districts of Gujarat are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall during the week until September 13.

Wind & Sea Warnings:

• Squally winds of 50–60 kmph gusting up to 70 kmph are likely over the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea, and along Gujarat and north Konkan coasts till September 9.

• Winds of 45–55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph are expected over southwest Rajasthan and Gujarat on September 8.

• Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough till September 9.

Advisories:

• Fishermen are advised not to venture into the northeast and east-central Arabian Sea, or along and off Gujarat and north Konkan coasts till September 9.

• Small ships and offshore activities should be monitored and regulated.

• Tourism and recreational activities, including helicopter services, are to be restricted until weather conditions improve.

Expected Impact:

• Damage to standing crops, plantations, and horticulture.

• Partial damage to kutcha houses, huts, roads, and weak structures.

• Waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas; disruption in road and rail traffic.

• Localised landslides or mudslides in hilly regions.

• Occasional poor visibility and disruption of air services.

The IMD has urged residents of Gujarat and Rajasthan to remain alert, avoid vulnerable areas, and move to safer locations if required. DeshGujarat