Ahmedabad: After a stretch of hot and humid weather, Gujarat is witnessing a sudden shift in climate since Saturday afternoon, with rainfall reported in parts of Rajkot, Amreli, Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Mahisagar, and Gondal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rain in parts of Saurashtra and South Gujarat.
Tragically, a lightning strike in Dahod claimed the lives of a father and his young son. According to reports, 30-year-old Sanjaybhai and his 7-year-old son Ayush were sitting outside their home in Muwalia village when they were struck and killed. The incident has left the local community and their family in deep mourning.
The IMD has predicted heavy rainfall over the next three hours in multiple districts. A red alert has been sounded for Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Surat, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Wind speeds in these areas are expected to range between 62 and 87 kmph.
An orange alert has also been issued for Gir Somnath, Botad, Diu, Jamnagar, Morbi, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Dwarka, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Vadodara, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Aravalli, Anand, Kheda, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad, where winds may reach speeds of 41 to 61 kmph.
Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, and Sabarkantha are under a yellow alert for moderate rainfall. In Ahmedabad, sudden dust-laden winds swept through the city as the weather turned. Strong gusts were observed across several localities. Meanwhile, scattered damage has been reported due to the weather across the state.
Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms and follow safety advisories issued by local disaster management teams.