Ahmedabad: Gujarat has been experiencing widespread rainfall since late Wednesday night, bringing strong winds and storms to several districts. Areas including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Navsari, and Valsad were among the worst affected, with numerous electric poles and trees uprooted due to the intense weather.
In Mahisagar district’s Khanpur taluka, a tragic incident occurred in Bhadrod village where a mud house collapsed during the storm, leading to the death of a 69-year-old farmer, Nanabhai Bhurabhai Maliwad, who was buried under the debris while sleeping inside. In Ahmedabad’s Kalupur area, a dilapidated house in Dhanasuthar-ni-Pol collapsed, trapping two women under the rubble. One of them, a 30-year-old woman, died in the incident.
Meanwhile, in Patan city’s Ward No. 8, the balcony of a weakened house in Kharadi Wada came crashing down due to heavy rain. Similarly, in Banaskantha, strong winds blew off roofing sheets from several homes.The heavy downpour also led to significant waterlogging across various parts of the state, disrupting traffic and submerging underpasses. In Unjha, intense lightning accompanied the rainfall. A truck coming from Tamil Nadu got stuck under a waterlogged bridge, further complicating traffic in the area.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rainfall across Gujarat for the next two days. Today’s unseasonal showers affected all four zones of the state. Rain warnings have been issued for Amreli, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Narmada, Tapi, Navsari, and Dang districts. The forecast also includes thunderstorms and strong winds due to an active upper-air cyclonic circulation over western Rajasthan, along with three active rain systems in the region.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from May 30 to June 1, as coastal winds are expected to reach speeds of 40–45 km/h. Other areas such as Aravalli also witnessed strong winds, with many trees falling and causing local disruption. In Malpur, a fallen power line left residents in the dark overnight. Reports of uprooted trees have also come in from Amirgarh and Iqbalgarh.
While the rain brought a welcome drop in temperatures, it also left a trail of destruction and tragedy in its wake. Authorities are continuing relief efforts and damage assessments across the affected districts.