'Heavy rains in next 48 hrs' for Gujarat

The weather department has warned of heavy to very heavy rains in some parts of Gujarat in the next 48 hours following an off-shore trough present in the Arabian sea.     

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) official said, "Heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur at few places in Gujarat region, Saurashtra, Kutch, Diu, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli during next 48 hours."     

Moderate to heavy rain or thundershowers are also likely to occur at most places in North Gujarat, Saurashtra, South Gujarat and Kutch region, the official added.     

The IMD has also issued a warning for the ports along the Gujarat coast saying that the "sea will be very rough with waves from south westerly direction".     

It further said that due to strong monsoon conditions squally weather is likely to prevail along south Gujarat coast and winds likely to blow between 45 and 55 kmph from south westerly direction. IMD officials added that wind speeds are also likely to reach temporarily to 65 kmph.     

Meanwhile, many parts of the state received moderate to heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.     

Highest rainfall was recorded in the Umergam taluk of Valsad district, followed by Jafarabad (119) in Amreli and Jetpur (106) in Rajkot.

Many of the districts of the state received good rainfall in the last 24 hours, which include Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Surat Narmada, Navsari, Vadodara, Panchmahal, Surendranagar and Valsad.     

Jundagadh and Jamnagar are the only districts which have recorded over 40 per cent of the average rainfall this season, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), Gandhinagar.     

Amreli has also received over 30 per cent of the season. Heavy rains lashed the district with all talukas receiving good rainfall. Vaida recorded 102 mm, Savarkundla 97mm, Bagasra 92mm, Rajula 90mm and Dhari 91mm.     

There was good rainfall recorded in Anand city (94mm), Bhesna (98mm) in Jungadh district, Nadiad city (80mm), Umarala (97mm) in Bhavnagar, Morva Hadal (91mm) in Panchmahal and Pardi (88mm) in Valsad.     

In Kheda district water logging has been reported in several parts of the district due to heavy rains which still continues in many parts of the district.     

Kutch district, however, received thundershowers in a few parts but remained dry in most parts.

Meanwhile, normal life was thrown out of gear Gujarat's Junagadh district following incessant rains and people living in low lying areas were alerted to shift to safer places in Mangrol town, sources added.        

Junagadh district received moderate to heavy rainfall till this afternoon with Mangrol getting the maximum rainfall of 150mm followed by Sutrapada-135mm and Bheshan-75mm in the last 24 hours, MET department said today.        

Road traffic was severly affected due to damage to the Sabalpur bridge, sources said.        

However, no casualty has been reported from the district so far.