Unseasonal rains: Some dance with joy, few recoil
The sudden rainfall on Monday evinced more concern than excitement in the city that woke up to a "gloomy" Monday. The unexpected climatic change is due to "western disturbances," according to Indian Meteorological Department, Ahmedabad.

While some thanked Almighty, others ignored it as a passing phase. "It should be taken as a blessing from the clouds," said Snehal Wadekar, a doctor by profession." There are others who totally disagree. "These off season rains do more harm than good both to health and to the crops," said Dinesh Desai, a shop owner.

However, it were children who enjoyed the "unseasonal" shower despite parental veto. They did not miss this unexpected opportunity to freak out and could be seen enjoying the rains on the streets. "I love to play in the rain, and dance under the clouded sky," said 8-year-old Beena Rao.

For youngsters, the atmosphere seemed to bring in the romantic mood in the air. "It’s a great atmosphere and I am enjoying every minute. I wish I had my girlfriend by my side to enjoy this romantic season," says Mohanan, a TYB.Com student.

However, rains failed to put a smile on the vendors’ faces, as they had to run helter-skelter to cover their goods and prevent damage.

The western disturbances are a result of the low-pressure belts in Pakistan and Rajasthan, explained meteorologist Kanwaljit Ray. Ms Ray informed that the western disturbances had engulfed the city and were expected to clear by Tuesday evening. "These disturbances have

caused an ‘induced low pressure’ and their clearance will result in a drop in temperature in a couple of days."

She added that owing to these disturbances, there was a drop in daytime temperature, while the temperature would rise at night.

She stated that though a cold wave condition was likely, this temporary shift in climatic conditions should not be a matter for serious concern.

While the city recorded 0.5 mm rainfall, almost all of Saurashtra and Kutch experienced the same kind of cloudy weather. Rain showers were also recorded in different parts of both the regions. Kutch received one or two spells of rainfall, Jamnagar district received rain spell for two hours, whereas Wankaner, Junagadh, Gondal and Khambaliya also received moderate rainfall. Many regions of the state, including Sawarkundla, experienced cold wave conditions.

Republished from The Asian Age