Heavy Rain to Lash Gujarat: IMD Issues Red, Orange and Yellow Alerts Across State till Aug 2

Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a three-day heavy rainfall warning for Gujarat, with South Gujarat and parts of central Gujarat likely to receive the heaviest rainfall over the next three days. Red, Orange and Yellow alerts have been issued for several districts from July 31 to August 2, while thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are likely across the state.

On July 31, Surat and Narmada districts are under a Red Alert, with the IMD forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely to exceptionally heavy falls.

A Red Alert has also been issued for Ahmedabad, Anand, Kheda, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Tapi, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Bhavnagar, Botad, Daman, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, where heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls is likely.

An Orange Alert has been issued for Gandhinagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Rajkot, Surendranagar, and Amreli, where very heavy rainfall is expected at a few places.

Meanwhile, Banaskantha, Vav-Tharad, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Kutch, and Diu are under a Yellow Alert for heavy rain at isolated places.

On August 1, the axis of intense rainfall is expected to shift. Ahmedabad, Anand, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Botad have been placed under a Red Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls.

An Orange Alert has been issued for Banaskantha, Vav-Tharad, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Bharuch, Amreli, Morbi, and Kutch, where very heavy rainfall is likely.

A Yellow Alert remains in force for Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Diu.

By August 2, rainfall activity is expected to gradually ease. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Banaskantha, Vav-Tharad, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Surendranagar, Morbi, and Kutch, where heavy rain is likely at isolated places. No Red or Orange alerts have been issued for the day.

Apart from the rainfall warnings, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty surface winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places across North Gujarat, South Gujarat, Saurashtra-Kutch, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Diu throughout the three-day period.

According to the IMD, the heavy rainfall over Gujarat is being driven by a depression over western Vidarbha and adjoining south Madhya Pradesh. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards over the next 24 hours and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area. The monsoon trough, an active offshore trough along the west coast, and favourable wind patterns are also enhancing rainfall activity across Gujarat.

The IMD has advised people, especially those in districts under Red and Orange alerts, to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall, and follow advisories issued by local authorities. DeshGujarat