Heavy rains lash Ahmedabad and parts of Gujarat, IMD issues orange alert

Amid forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), several parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, woke up to heavy showers on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. The sudden change in weather brought intense downpour with thunder and lightning since early morning, leading to waterlogging across several areas.

Within just two hours, rainfall measuring 2 to 3 inches was recorded in many parts of the city, submerging roads and disrupting traffic. Authorities were forced to shut down underpasses in Mithakhali, Usmanpura, and Akhbar Nagar due to flooding.

In Ahmedabad, heavy rainfall has been reported in Vastrapur, Naroda, Akhbar Nagar, Memnagar, SG Highway, CG Road, Paldi, Jamalpur, Khadia, Lal Darwaja, Bodakdev, Iskcon, Bopal, Ghuma, and Sola among other areas. With the skies covered in thick dark clouds, the showers are expected to continue throughout the day. Low-lying areas such as Naroda are facing severe waterlogging, causing hardship to commuters.

The IMD has predicted widespread heavy rainfall across Gujarat today, with South Gujarat likely to witness heavy to very heavy downpours. Currently, three active weather systems are influencing the state, which may prolong the heavy rains till August 19.

Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are also under the forecast. The IMD has placed Ahmedabad under nowcast and issued an orange alert, warning of heavy rainfall spells through the day.