Storm Tears Down Mass Wedding Setup In Gujarat’s Aravalli, CM Turns Back Amid Chaos

Aravalli: What was meant to be a joyous celebration for over a hundred couples turned into a scene of chaos and disruption in Gujarat’s Aravalli district after a sudden storm and unseasonal rain struck the region on Monday evening.

In the village of Radodra near Bayad, strong winds swept through a large-scale community wedding event organized for 108 couples. The gusts were so fierce that they tore down multiple wedding canopies, scattering decorations and forcing families and couples to flee mid-ceremony. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as guests scrambled for cover, while rituals came to a sudden halt.

The event, attended by hundreds and backed by local MLA Dhavalsinh Zala, was expected to see the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. However, as his convoy approached the area, worsening weather conditions forced him to abandon the visit and return to Gandhinagar. His vehicle reportedly reached as far as the Bayad Circuit House before turning back due to safety concerns.

Beyond the wedding site, the storm left a trail of damage across Aravalli’s Malpur, Modasa, Bayad, Bhiloda, Meghraj, and Dhansura regions. Several villages experienced power outages as trees and electric poles were toppled. Farmers also reported significant damage to standing crops, compounding the hardship already caused by the unseasonal downpour.

Local officials are assessing the impact and working to restore essential services. Meanwhile, the community wedding organizers have pledged to support affected families and help reschedule incomplete marriage ceremonies in the coming days. The storm serves as yet another reminder of the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns in the region, catching both citizens and officials off guard.