Pre-monsoon showers bring relief in Ahmedabad, trigger disruptions across north, central Gujarat

Ahmedabad witnessed a sudden change in weather on Monday night as strong winds swept across several western parts of the city, including Sindhu Bhavan Road, Vastrapur, Satellite and Makarba. Rain showers accompanied by thunder and lightning were reported in areas such as Sarkhej, Makarba and Ghatlodia, leaving roads wet and bringing a noticeable drop in temperature. The pre-monsoon activity provided much-needed relief to residents who had been struggling with intense heat and humidity. However, the sudden gusty winds also caused brief difficulties for motorists.

The weather shift was not limited to Ahmedabad, with Gandhinagar and Panchmahal district also witnessing a dramatic change in atmospheric conditions. In Panchmahal, a storm accompanied by heavy winds and rain lashed several areas, including district headquarters Godhra. Strong winds kicked up massive dust clouds, severely affecting visibility and disrupting traffic movement. The storm also damaged power poles and electricity lines in several parts of the district, leading to widespread power outages and prompting local authorities to swing into action.

While the weather change brought respite from the scorching conditions, it also caused significant damage in some areas. In Dahod, a massive iron hoarding erected under the Smart City Mission near Garbada Crossroads collapsed onto the road due to strong winds. One pedestrian was killed on the spot after being trapped under the structure, while two others sustained injuries and were shifted to hospital for treatment.

In Mahisagar district, strong winds caused a large tree to fall on a motorcycle travelling from Malvan towards Dharoda in the Kadana region, injuring two friends. Balasinor town also experienced strong winds accompanied by dust storms.

Rain showers were also reported from villages in Mansa taluka of Gandhinagar district, as well as parts of the Himmatnagar region. While the rainfall brought welcome relief from the day's oppressive heat, the mini storm left a trail of destruction in Himmatnagar, where fallen trees damaged power lines at several locations, disrupting electricity supply and leaving many areas in darkness.