Heavy Rains Batter Gujarat: Monsoon Arrives with a Bang
After days of unbearable humidity, the eagerly awaited monsoon has made a thunderous entry into Gujarat. Between 2 AM and 4 AM last night, Botad recorded 4 inches of rain in just two hours. In the past 24 hours, torrential rains lashed 221 talukas across the state. The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Gadhada (14 inches), followed by Palitana (12 inches), Sihor (11.6 inches), Botad (11 inches), Umarala (10.4 inches), Jesar (11 inches), Mahuva (9 inches), and Rajula (7 inches).
Forecast for June 17
According to the Meteorological Department, extremely heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms are expected in Junagadh and Gir Somnath on June 17, prompting a Red Alert. Orange Alerts have been issued for Porbandar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, and Valsad due to the likelihood of very heavy rainfall. Yellow Alerts have been declared in Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Anand, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Tapi, and Dang, forecasting heavy rain with thunder and lightning.
Forecast for June 18–19
On June 18 and 19, more than 12 districts in Saurashtra and South Gujarat are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms. The Meteorological Department has issued Orange and Yellow Alerts for the following districts: Jamnagar, Rajkot, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Dang, Dahod, and Chhota Udepur.
Heavy Downpour Disrupts Life in Rural Amreli
Rural parts of Amreli district are witnessing relentless rainfall, leading to flood-like conditions. Heavy rains caused waterlogging on the Amreli-Dhari highway, disrupting road connectivity. Near the village of Nana Masyala, a tree collapsed onto an ST bus, temporarily halting traffic. On the Devrajiya-Manila road, overflowing fields flooded the roads, creating major challenges for commuters.