Pre-monsoon showers lash many parts of state

Even as monsoon is set to usher in by mid-June in the state, people of Gujarat got some respite from scorching heat on Friday with many parts of the state receiving pre-monsoon showers. Rains were reported from South Gujarat districts of Surat and Navsari while some parts of Saurashtra, central Gujarat received light showers.

Ahmedabad also received its first showers this evening which were accompanied by strong winds. In Surat, there were reports of trees and electric poles falling, district officials said.

"We had predicted that Gujarat would receive pre-monsoon showers today. While monsoon has entered Karnataka, in next couple of days it is expected to reach Ahmedabad. We are forecasting advent of monsoon by mid-June in Gujarat," said Kamaljit Ray, director, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to IMD, normal monsoon is being forecasted this year, even as the department monitors the situation.

"Normally, the pre-monsoon showers begin about a fortnight before the actual arrival. Which is why many parts of Gujarat received pre-monsoon showers on Friday as predicted," said Ray, adding that the winds across the state were due to an upper cyclonic circulation in the Arabian sea.

As per IMD forecast, light to moderate rains with thundershowers were likely to occur at isolated places in North and South Gujarat and Saurashtra region while Kutch is likely to remain sunny.

Meanwhile, Ray said that the weather department was closely monitoring the circulation developing in the sea.