Gandhinagar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday evening issued a nowcast warning forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and strong winds in several parts of Gujarat over the next three hours.

According to the nowcast issued at 7:00 pm on March 19, 2026, heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour, accompanied by severe thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds with speeds of 62 to 87 kmph, is very likely at isolated places in Rajkot, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Diu, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Botad and Surendranagar districts. The IMD has also warned of a high probability of cloud-to-ground lightning (more than 60%) in these areas.

The department further stated that moderate rainfall between 5 and 15 mm per hour, along with moderate thunderstorms, hail and wind speeds of 41 to 61 kmph, is likely at isolated places in Kachchh, Banaskantha, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Dahod, Panchmahal, Chhota Udepur, Vadodara, Kheda, Anand, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Patan, Morbi, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka and Porbandar districts. In these areas, the probability of lightning occurrence is estimated between 30 to 60 percent.

The IMD has advised residents to remain alert, avoid open areas during thunderstorms, and follow official weather updates as the situation may change rapidly. DeshGujarat