Southwest Monsoon likely to withdraw from parts of Gujarat in 2-3 days: IMD

Ahmedabad: The Southwest Monsoon is likely to begin withdrawing from parts of Gujarat, particularly Saurashtra and Kutch, over the next two to three days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD, in its state forecast issued on September 20, said conditions are favourable for the further withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon from some more parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Saurashtra and Kutch during the next 2–3 days.

The monsoon withdrawal line currently passes through Ramgarh, Mohangarh, Phalodi and Khajuwala.

Despite the beginning of the withdrawal process, Gujarat is likely to receive rain over the next few days. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at several places across South Gujarat, while isolated to scattered rainfall is expected over parts of North Gujarat and Saurashtra.

For September 21, the IMD has forecast thunderstorms with lightning and surface winds of 30–40 kmph, accompanied by light to moderate rain, at isolated places in Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari and Valsad, as well as in Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Similar conditions are likely at isolated places in Amreli and Bhavnagar in Saurashtra and yellow alert is issued for these places.

Rainfall activity is expected to gradually become more limited after September 23, with several parts of Saurashtra-Kutch likely to experience dry weather. However, the IMD’s seven-day outlook indicates that isolated rain may continue over parts of North, Central and South Gujarat through September 27.

The IMD said a low-pressure area over the eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression on September 21 and into a deep depression over the westcentral Bay of Bengal on September 22. It is expected to move towards the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast around September 23. DeshGujarat