Heavy rainfall lashes Gujarat, waterlogging reported, dams on alert

Gujarat witnessed heavy rainfall over the weekend, disrupting normal life in several districts, and Ahmedabad reported waterlogging across major areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) have forecasted two more days of heavy rainfall for Ahmedabad, prompting authorities to stay on high alert.

Rainfall in Gujarat

Rain lashed large parts of Gujarat, with Kaprada taluka in Valsad district receiving 7.8 inches in 24 hours, including 6 inches in just 8 hours, leading to severe waterlogging. 

209 talukas reported rainfall in the past 24 hours, with 50 of them recording more than 1 inch.

Among the highest figures were:

Botad - 3.50 inches

Posina (Sabarkantha) - 3.25 inches

Paddhari (Rajkot) - 3.15 inches

Talod (Sabarkantha) - 3 inches

Sanand (Ahmedabad) - 3 inches

Jamkandorna (Rajkot) - 2.85 inches

Prantij (Sabarkantha) - 2.75 inches

Bayad (Aravalli) - 2.60 inches

Umargam (Valsad) - 2.60 inches

Rainfall in Ahmedabad

- Ahmedabad recorded an average of 1 inch rainfall.

- Ahmedabad recorded an average of 1 inch rainfall.

- 1.25 inches in Usmanpura, Jodhpur, Sarkhej, and Bopal-Bakrol.

- 1 inch was measured in Bodakdev, Memnagar, Odhav, Viratnagar, and Kathwada.

- Kalupur, Asarwa, and Dudheshwar recorded 0.75 inch.

- With this, the season’s cumulative rainfall in Ahmedabad has touched 36.61 inches.

- The downpour caused widespread waterlogging in Thaltej, Memnagar, Sardar Nagar, and Hanspura, Isanpur where Ganesh Visarjan processions were held amid heavy showers.

Dams filled due to Rainfall

- The continued showers have significantly raised water storage across Gujarat. Out of 206 reservoirs, the state now holds an average of 83.38% storage.

- 88 dams are at 100% capacity, while 67 are between 70% and 100%.

- The Narmada Dam stands at 136.03 meters with 91.23% storage, holding 8,630 MCM of water.

- With inflows reducing, authorities have partially lowered the opening of 15 gates from 3.10 meters to 1.90 meters.

- At Vasna Barrage, all 27 gates were opened on Saturday evening to release 21,000–21,893 cusecs, maintaining the water level at 129.75 feet.

The IMD has placed Banaskantha, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, most of Saurashtra, and Kutch under a red alert, while Patan, Gandhinagar, and Mahisagar remain under orange alert. Ahmedabad is also expected to see heavy rainfall for the next two days.