Vadodara: Amid scorching heat, several districts of north and eastern Gujarat woke up to a wet Tuesday with rainfall accompanied by high-velocity winds and squalls sweeping several places. The weather suddenly changed in Dahod, Mahisagar, and Aravalli districts, where gusts uprooted trees and electricity poles while flattening pandals, sending participants in social events scrambling for cover. The brief yet sharp wet spell left several areas strewn with muck and debris.
Hail and Power Disruptions
Hail was also reported at isolated locations. Sukhsar, Zalod, Limdi, and Fatepura talukas reported a prolonged spell of inclement weather. In Sukhsar, several electricity poles were uprooted, though no untoward incidents were reported as power supply had been switched off for maintenance. Fallen trees disrupted vehicular movement on the Santrampur-Zalod road, while in Zalod, strong winds blew away a tent erected for a religious gathering.
Rain in Adjoining Districts
Adjoining Mahisagar district reported light and steady showers in Kadana and Lunawada talukas. Vadodara remained largely overcast, without any significant rainfall, but residents got some relief from the blazing heat. The sudden change in weather also brought relief from the heat, with temperatures across most parts of Gujarat dropping below the 40°C mark, barring Rajkot (42.3°C) and Surendranagar (41°C).
Meteorological Explanation
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the weather activity to a combination of systems, including a cyclonic circulation over the Kashmir region and another over southwest Rajasthan, along with moist south-westerly winds at lower levels that aided cloud formation and triggered sudden showers and gusty winds.
Forecast for Wednesday
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Aravalli, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Chhota Udepur, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Botad districts on Wednesday. Meanwhile, hot and humid conditions are likely to prevail over coastal areas as well as Saurashtra and Kutch, causing discomfort.
Unseasonal Showers Elsewhere
Unseasonal showers were also reported from villages in Amreli's Khambha taluka and in parts of Gir Somnath district, including Tulsishyam, after a spell of intense heat and humidity caught residents off guard.
