Ahmedabad: A sudden and dramatic change in weather gripped Ahmedabad and parts of Gujarat early Thursday morning, bringing gusty winds, dust storms, and a significant drop in visibility. The city was hit by strong winds with speeds ranging from 15 to 40 kilometres per hour.

The intense winds led to the uprooting of numerous trees in several areas. On Sindhu Bhavan Road, at least two large trees were uprooted, while similar incidents were reported near Vastrapur Lake. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and fire department teams were immediately deployed to clear the fallen trees and debris and restore traffic flow.

In addition to trees, the city’s infrastructure also felt the impact. A traffic booth near Vastrapur was completely damaged due to the force of the wind. Numerous banners, signboards, and hoardings were blown down across various neighbourhoods, posing risks to commuters.

Massive dust clouds significantly reduced visibility on major roads, forcing vehicle drivers to move with extreme caution.

Forecast and meteorological cause

According to the Meteorological Department, the sudden weather change is the result of a Western Disturbance combined with an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the region. These conditions have triggered what experts describe as pre-monsoon-like activity.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms across the state, along with strong winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h in some regions. DeshGujarat