Flood-Affected Gujarat to Receive More Rains This Week, IMD Issues Alert

Gandhinagar:  The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather alert for Gujarat, forecasting heavy rainfall through September 5, after rain related havoc in the state. 

Although the state is no longer under the direct influence of Cyclone Asna, which was expected to impact the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, residents should prepare for gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 km/h, informed IMD.

IMD Issues Alert, Heavy Rainfall Expected in South Gujarat

Vadodara is expected to experience significant rainfall between September 2 and 4. The IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas of south Gujarat. The districts of Vadodara, Bharuch, Anand, Narmada, Panchmahal, Dahod, and Chota Udepur are also anticipated to receive heavy rains in the coming days.

Other regions, including Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Ahmedabad, and several districts in Saurashtra-Kutch such as Rajkot and Jamnagar, are expected to see light to moderate thunderstorms with lightning, according to the IMD.

For September 2, Vadodara is under a yellow alert, with neighboring districts Bharuch and Narmada under an orange alert. Additionally, four districts in Saurashtra, including Ahmedabad, which are near South and Central Gujarat, are also under a yellow alert.

36 Fatalities, 20,000 People Evacuated and 1,200 Rescued 

In the wake of recent rain-related activities, Gujarat has reported 36 fatalities, with over 20,000 people evacuated and more than 1,200 were rescued from flood-affected areas.

Crocodiles in Vadodara 

Amid the intense rainfall from August 27 to 29, a total of 24 crocodiles were rescued from residential areas in Vadodara due to rising water levels in the Vishwamitri River. The river, home to approximately 440 crocodiles, saw many of these reptiles moving into residential zones due to flooding from the Ajwa Dam. Despite the unusual circumstances, there were no reported incidents of crocodile-human conflict during this period, according to Vadodara Range Forest Officer Karansinh Rajput.