New Delhi: The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted more showers in Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat as the rain-battered state starts to limp back to normal. The ongoing heavy rainfall across Gujarat, caused by multiple weather systems, including a deep depression, has resulted in the state receiving 35% of its seasonal rainfall, or 311mm, within a week.
According to data from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), this is the highest rainfall recorded by August for three regions of Gujarat—central and southern Gujarat, as well as the eastern belt—since 2015. The state has now exceeded its seasonal rainfall target, reaching 109% as of Thursday morning, reports the Times of India.
7 bodies surface in Vadodara
Seven bodies surfaced in different parts of Vadodara in the past two days as floodwaters began to recede after four days of rain fury. The official death toll in Gujarat stands at 32. Meanwhile, extremely heavy rainfall ravaged Kutch district on Thursday.
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Cyclone forecast in Arabian Sea
In an unusual event, the deep depression currently over Saurashtra and Kutch, which has brought heavy rainfall to Gujarat over the past few days, is expected to move into the Arabian Sea and intensify into a cyclone by Friday, according to the IMD. This is unusual for the month of August.
Rains to continue in Delhi
Despite the heavy rainfall through Thursday night, which caused widespread waterlogging and lengthy traffic jams on Friday morning, the temperature dropped by more than 5 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours. Delhi may still see some rain, although experts predict the intensity will decrease. The net rainfall for August reached 390.3mm, the highest for the month in over a decade.
Over 130 roads closed in Himachal
At least 134 roads, including National Highway 5, were closed on Thursday in Himachal Pradesh following heavy rainfall. The local meteorological office has warned of flash floods in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan districts until Friday. A yellow alert has also been issued for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated areas of the state.
July-August monsoon one of the wettest
With consistent rainfall over the past two months, this year’s monsoon in July and August is shaping up to be one of the two wettest the country has experienced in the last 30 years. The rainfall recorded across India in July and August stands at 585mm. The weather department expects it to surpass 595mm in the remaining days of the month.
