Gujarat receives 17% rainfall in a fortnight

As many as 25 persons die due to rain related incidents

As many as 25 persons have died due to rain related incidents across the state in a fortnight, Gujarat government officials said on Monday, even as state received 17 per cent of this season's rainfall.

Out of these nearly six deaths have occurred in last 24 hours with causes ranging from electrocution, drowning, falling of trees or roof due to strong winds and heavy rains, they said.

"As many as 25 human deaths have been reported from various district since June 1. The reasons for death include electrocution (struck by lightning), drowning, accident due to falling of tree, roof because of strong winds etc," state government officials said.

Officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the heavy to moderate rains would continue to lash many parts of the state for the next two days as the monsoon was vigorous over the state.

"Heavy to very heavy rain would occur at a few places over Gujarat region and at isolated places in Saurahstra and Kutch region and union territory of Daman and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, during the next 48 hours," IMD center here said in its forecast statement. It added that monsoon was vigorous over the state and the off shore trough extending from Gujarat coast to Kerala coast persisted. Also, the low pressure area over West Madhy Pradesh and Adjoining Gujarat now lied over east Rajasthan with associated upper cyclonic circulation.

The IMD has also asked the ports to hoist cautionary signal III and issued an advisory cautioning the fishermen not to venture into the sea for the net 24 hours as the rough weather is likely to prevail in the sea during the same period.

Further wind speed is likely to be between 45 to 55 km per hour from the southwesterly direction and may ocassionally reach up to 65 km per hour in the next two days.

Meanwhile, nearly 217 blocks out of 225 in the state received significant rainfall in the last 24 hours. With highest rainfall (214 mm) being registered in Khambaliya taluka of Jamnagar district. Saurahstra and Kutch regions received maximum rainfall, while south Gujarat and North Gujarat registering substantial rainfall.