Showers across state barring central gujarat

Moderate to heavy rains lashed several parts of the state on Wednesday, one day after the threat of the cyclonic storm looming large on Saursashtra and Kutch diffused, bringing much-needed respite to the people from the scorching heat.

Regional director of the meteorology department R.K. Kankane said, "The showers are the result of South Westerlies and high temperature during last few days." Mr. Kankane, however, said that the regular monsoons will set in after a few days and this is just a pre-monsoon shower, which will last for a couple of days.
Mr. Kankane had earlier told reporters on Tuesday that the regular monsoon in the state is likely to set in around June 7 this year. There are also reports of around one to four inches of rain in Ahmedabad, Amreli, Surendranagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Banaskantha, Mehsana and Surat districts.

More than 80 talukas received medium to heavy rainfall in the state. However, there were no rains in Central Gujarat. According to information received from the state flood control cell, the drought prone areas of Bhavnagar, Surendranagar and Amreli also received one to four inches of rain whereas; the Olpad area in Surat received six inches rain. Other areas in the state also witnessed scattered rainfall.

In the Ahmedabad district, Dholka received 36 mm, Dhandhuka 33, Mandal 35, Ranpur 32mm of rain. Bhavnagar taluka received 34 mm, Botad 30, Gadhda 46, Mahua 114, Shihor 26, Talaja 32 and Valbhipur 20. The Junagadh, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Banaskantha, Mehsana and Sabarkantha districts recieved good rains during this first spell.

Surat, Ankleshwar, Bharuch, Valsad, Dangs, Narmada and Navsari in South Gujarat also received moderate to heavy rains whereas, the Gandhinagar district received 24 mm and Kalol taluka in the district received 16 mm rains. The seven talukas in Jamnagar district also received light showers.
The light showers in the city since last two days seem to have lightened up the mood in Ahmedabad with the temperature going down considerably, bringing relief from the sweltering heat. However, as ever the Amdavadis revelled in the sudden drop in temperatures, as could be seen from the long queues that were drawn up at laaris selling dal vadas.

"After days of scorching heat, there is at least some relief," says Abhishek Shrivastav, who deliberately got drenched to enjoy the rain. Alike Abhishek, people came out on the streets to enjoy the wet weather and junk food vendors on the street. "Long queues were found on laaris when we went to buy bhajiyas and dal vadas," said Minal sheth, not lucky enough to get the snacks as she was late."

Republished from Asian Age