The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Gujarat and a yellow alert for several districts in Rajasthan, forecasting intense rainfall over the next 48 hours. In Gujarat, the warning covers Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Patan, and areas of Saurashtra-Kutch, where heavy downpours are expected. Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, and Kheda are also likely to experience significant showers, while South Gujarat remains under an orange alert. The IMD has advised fishermen to avoid sea travel due to rough conditions. Gujarat has already seen 23% above-normal rainfall this monsoon season.
In Rajasthan, the Jaisalmer administration declared a holiday for all schools and Anganwadi centers on Monday, prioritizing student safety. “This decision aligns with the IMD’s alert forecasting heavy rainfall in the district over the next 24 hours,” said district collector Pratap Singh, as quoted by ANI. Dausa, another heavily impacted area, recorded over 177 mm of rainfall, with the Haripura dam overflowing, causing widespread waterlogging on roads. “Relief teams are on standby, and residents are urged to report incidents to the control room,” stated Dausa district magistrate Devender Kumar.
Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore visited flood-affected areas in Dausa on Sunday, announcing ₹16 crore for repairs to approximately 650 schools and 16 dams, according to ANI. The IMD reported that a deep depression over North Gujarat and southwest Rajasthan, centered near the Rajasthan-Pakistan border—about 150 km southwest of Barmer and 180 km from Jaisalmer and Bhuj as of 5:30 am on September 8—moved west-northwest at 8 kmph. This weather system is driving the severe conditions.