Plans for grand New Year celebrations were washed away as unexpected and heavy rainfall lashed Rajkot city and several districts across the Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat on Wednesday. The unseasonal showers, arriving on the last day of 2025, threw normal life out of gear, catching thousands of commuters and residents completely off guard.
City Life Grinds to a Halt
The commercial hub of Saurashtra, Rajkot city, descended into chaos during the evening rush hour. Thousands of commuters heading home found themselves stranded as intense, monsoon-like rain battered the city. The downpour led to immediate waterlogging on several major arteries, bringing traffic to a standstill for nearly an hour.
Key roads affected included the busy Yagnik Road, Kalawad Road, Race Course Road, and the 150 Feet Ring Road. A significant factor compounding the disruption was that most people were not carrying umbrellas or raincoats, as such wet weather is highly unusual for this time of the year.
Widespread Weather Disturbance
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the sudden wet spell to an upper air cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan and adjoining Afghanistan. The effects were felt across a wide area.
Beyond Rajkot, heavy cloud cover and rainfall were reported in parts of Jamnagar, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Kutch districts. In rural areas of Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka, prolonged cloud cover finally gave way to rain, surprising villagers. Specific talukas like Kalyanpur, Bhanvad, and Khambhaliya received unseasonal showers. In Kutch district, several villages in Rapar taluka also experienced unexpected rainfall and subsequent waterlogging.
The IMD bulletin further predicted that light rain was very likely at isolated places in North Gujarat districts like Banaskantha, Patan, and Sabarkantha, as well as in Jamnagar, Morbi, Dwarka, Porbandar, and Kutch.
Farmers' Fears and Broader Impact
The untimely rain has sparked serious concern among the farming community. Farmers fear potential damage to rabi crops, including cumin and chickpeas. This worry is amplified because many had already suffered losses during the kharif season due to excessive rain in October and November. A second blow from the weather could be devastating.
Throughout the day, the entire Saurashtra-Kutch region remained shrouded in dense clouds, creating a gloomy, monsoon-like atmosphere on what was supposed to be a festive New Year's Eve. The abrupt change in weather, from overcast skies to heavy showers, left residents scrambling and dampened the spirit of farewell to 2025.
