Gandhinagar: Widespread pre-monsoon rainfall was recorded across Gujarat during the last 24 hours ending Tuesday morning at 6 am, with Ahmedabad district’s Dhandhuka taluka receiving the highest rainfall of 3.74 inches (95 mm), according to data released by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

As per the criteria of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall of 2.5 inches (64.5 mm) or more in 24 hours is classified as heavy rainfall. Based on this classification, Dhandhuka (3.74 inches) and Umarpada in Surat district (2.76 inches) recorded heavy rainfall during the period.

Other major rainfall figures included Kheda (1.73 inches), Matar (1.57 inches), Lakhtar (1.57 inches), Chuda (1.54 inches) and Nadiad (1.46 inches).

Several talukas recorded more than an inch of rainfall, including Valod (1.22 inches) in Tapi district, Hansot (1.18 inches) in Bharuch district, Vaghai (1.18 inches) in Dang district, and Bharuch, Mansa, Dasada and Vyara, each of which received 1.14 inches.

In central Gujarat, Umreth, Mahudha and Talod recorded 1.10 inches each, while Chikhli in Navsari district received 1.06 inches. Radhanpur recorded 0.98 inches, while Sathamba, Mahuva and Lakhani received 0.94 inches each.

Moderate rainfall was also reported from Dholera and Limbdi (0.91 inches each), Borsad, Deodar and Tharad (0.87 inches each), Kapadvanj (0.83 inches) and Vagra, Ambika and Dhrangadhra (0.79 inches each).

Among major urban centres, Gandhinagar received 0.59 inches, Valsad 0.51 inches, Vadodara 0.31 inches, Surat City 0.28 inches and Ahmedabad City 0.20 inches.

The rainfall activity was spread across north, central, south and parts of Saurashtra Gujarat, providing relief from the prevailing heat and signalling strengthening pre-monsoon conditions ahead of the southwest monsoon’s advance. DeshGujarat