Panchmahal, Surat witness early morning rainfall, sudden weather change raises farmers’ concerns

As summer begins to set in across Gujarat, a sudden change in weather was witnessed early Friday morning in Panchmahal district. Unseasonal rain lashed Godhra city and nearby rural areas. While the unexpected showers brought a cool and pleasant atmosphere, they have left farmers deeply concerned.

Over the past few days, Panchmahal has been experiencing unusual weather conditions. Currently, the district is witnessing a mix of winter and summer simultaneously. Early mornings have turned cool and pleasant due to chilly winds and rainfall, whereas afternoons remain uncomfortably hot as temperatures rise sharply.

The unseasonal rain has created anxiety among farmers, especially as rabi crops are nearing harvest. There is fear that the ready wheat and gram crops standing in the fields may suffer damage due to the rainfall. The sudden weather change may also increase the chances of pest attacks on crops and a rise in viral infections like cold and cough among people.

Due to cloudy conditions, sunlight remained limited, leading to a drop in morning temperatures.

In Surat as well, the weather changed early in the morning. After light showers, heavy rainfall began in parts of the city and district. The rainy conditions brought a noticeable chill in the air, intensifying the cold.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), three systems a western disturbance and cyclonic circulation, are currently active over the state. As a result, some areas may receive rainfall while others may experience cloudy weather. Winds are likely to blow at speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour in the coming days. Northwesterly winds may also remain stronger than usual. The weather across the state is expected to remain mostly dry on 24 February.