Western disturbance causes untimely showers in Gujarat

IMD forecasts scattered rains in next 24 hrs across state

Western disturbances in and around the coast of Gujarat caused cloudy weather across the state, while in some parts scattered rains was also reported, India Meteorological Department (IMD) - Ahmedabad informed on Friday. According to IMD forecast the cloudy weather may continue for a day more.

"The temperature in the state has fallen by 4-5 degrees Celsius below normal levels and scattered rains have been reported in several parts of Gujarat. The weather may remain cloudy and cold for a day more as eventually clouds would start moving towards north-east," said a senior official at IMD office in Ahmedabad.

Maximum temperature recorded in Ahmedabad was 37 degrees Celsius.

In its forecast issued on April 20, the met office maintained that light to moderate rains or thundershowers are likely at isolated places across the state including Saurashtra and Kutch.

"Light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at isolated places in all districts of Gujarat and in Diu, Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli. There could be rain or thundershowers by evening or night on Friday," the IMD said in its forecast for the next 24 hours.

The temperature in most parts of the state remained below normal. Highest maximum temperature was recorded at 40 degrees Celsius at Vallabh Vidyanagar near Anand.

It may be noted here that over the past one week, Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions have witnessed unseasonal showers. Met office attributed the untimely rains to western disturbances.

Agriculture experts denied any impact of untimely showers on crops. "It is not likely to affect crops as most crops have been either harvested or in the sowing stage. But there is a threat to mango crop as there are chances of insects in the fruit after rains in the mango growing regions of Saurashtra and south Gujarat," said Hasmukhbhai Dabhi, district secretary - Ahmedabad, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS).

Normally in Gujarat, monsoon begins from mid June.