Ahmedabad: Gujarat is once again in the grip of heavy monsoon showers, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounding multiple alerts across the state. Five districts are currently under a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall, while 24 districts have been placed under an orange alert, raising concerns about flooding, reservoir levels, and urban preparedness.
Widespread Alerts Across Gujarat
According to IMD’s forecast, Banaskantha, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Valsad, Dang, and Tapi districts are under red alert due to the likelihood of intense downpours. Meanwhile, districts including Kutch, Morbi, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, Bharuch, and several others have been placed under an orange alert, signaling the possibility of heavy rainfall and waterlogging.
Ahmedabad on Alert
The state’s largest city, Ahmedabad, has witnessed continuous heavy rain for the second day straight, beginning Saturday evening. The intensity of rainfall has forced authorities at Vasna Barrage across the Sabarmati River to release 32,410 cusecs of water, with all 27 gates opened. Officials have issued warnings to residents in low-lying areas along the riverbanks to remain cautious.
In light of the severe weather outlook, Gujarat Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi chaired a review meeting in Gandhinagar to assess the situation. With GPSC examinations scheduled, district collectors were instructed to ensure safety measures at exam centers. The administration also reviewed district-level preparations, water levels in dams, and directed that evacuations be ready if necessary. To strengthen disaster response, 12 NDRF and 20 SDRF teams have been deployed across affected regions.
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Heavy Showers Recorded in Multiple Districts
The downpour has been widespread with rainfall reported in 209 districts within 24 hours. Valsad’s Kaprada, often compared to Cherrapunji for its intense rainfall, recorded nearly 8 inches in a single day, resulting in flash floods in some areas. Other significant district-level rainfall included 3.5 inches in Botad, 3.25 inches in Poshina (Sabarkantha), and over 3 inches each in Paddhari (Rajkot) and Sanand (Ahmedabad). More than 50 districts received over an inch of rainfall in a single day.
88 Reservoirs at Full Capacity
The heavy rains have led to a surge in water levels across the state. Out of 206 reservoirs, 88 are now filled to full capacity and another 69 are over 70% filled. The Sardar Sarovar reservoir on the Narmada is currently at 91.23% of its storage capacity, holding 8,630 million cubic meters of water. Its present water level stands at 136.03 meters, prompting a controlled release from its gates to maintain safe levels.
Rain Pounds Ahmedabad During Ganesh Immersion
On Saturday, coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi festivities, Ahmedabad witnessed spells of rain across several neighborhoods, including Usmanpura, Jodhpur, Sarkhej, Bodakdev, and Odhav. The city averaged close to an inch of rainfall through the day, pushing the season’s cumulative rainfall to 39.61 inches. Significant outflow continued from the Sabarmati, with Vasna Barrage maintaining its discharge late into the evening.
Devotees performing Ganesh idol immersions braved heavy showers in areas like Thaltej and Memnagar, where streets were inundated. Rainfall of around an inch was recorded in several neighborhoods, including Sardar Nagar, Hanspura, Kalupur, and Asarwa. In the Maninagar and Lambha areas, between 23 to 28 millimeters of rain fell within hours, adding to citywide waterlogging issues.
State Under Watch
With rain showing no signs of respite, officials have urged vigilance, particularly in flood-prone and low-lying districts. Authorities said that the situation is being monitored round the clock, with disaster management teams kept on standby as heavy rainfall continues to sweep across Gujarat.