IMD issues orange, yellow alerts for heavy rain in parts of Gujarat

Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in parts of Gujarat and a yellow alert for heavy rain in several other districts on Friday, as the monsoon remains active over the state.

According to the IMD’s midday weather bulletin, very heavy rainfall of 12–20 cm is likely at isolated places in Dahod and Chhota Udepur during the next 24 hours, and an orange alert has been issued for these districts. A yellow alert has been issued for Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Panchmahal, Mahisagar, Vadodara and Narmada, where heavy rainfall of 7–11 cm is likely at isolated places.

The weather agency has also forecast light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across several parts of Gujarat, with isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and surface winds of 30–40 kmph.

The alert comes after very heavy rain was recorded at isolated places in Sabarkantha and Morbi during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Friday. Heavy rainfall was also recorded in parts of Aravalli, Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Morbi and Devbhoomi Dwarka.

For Ahmedabad, the IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thunderstorms, which could be heavy at times, until 8.30 am on Saturday.

Rainfall activity is expected to continue across parts of Gujarat over the next few days, although the intensity is forecast to gradually decrease. The IMD has predicted light to moderate rain at isolated places across Gujarat through September 25.

The IMD said conditions are becoming favourable for the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from parts of West Rajasthan around September 19. An upper-air cyclonic circulation over north Gujarat and neighbouring areas is also influencing weather conditions over the state. DeshGujarat