Strong winds and showers sweep Ahmedabad & Vadodara in sudden change of weather

Gusty winds and rainfall along with some sparse thunderstorms surprised Ahmedabad and Vadodara late into Sunday night, with both cities experiencing heavy winds and rainfall.

In Ahmedabad, heavy rain lashed several parts of the city including Thaltej, Iskcon, Bodakdev, Gurukul, Chandkheda, Science City, Gota, Bapunagar, Thakkarbapa Nagar, Narol, Nikol, Ghatlodia, Vatva, and Naroda — accompanied by strong winds and loud thunder.

A low-pressure area developed on May 22 over the East Central Arabian Sea off the south Konkan and Goa coasts and was expected to intensify into a depression within the next 36 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had announced on Thursday. 

In response to the evolving weather system, fishermen along both the North and South Gujarat coasts were strictly advised not to venture into the sea till May 26.

The IMD forecast indicated squally weather with wind speeds ranging from 40 to 60 kmph along the North Gujarat coast from May 24 to 26. Affected ports include Jakhau, Mandvi, Mundra, New Kandla, Navlakhi, Jamnagar, Salaya, Okha, and Porbandar.

Meanwhile, the South Gujarat coast - covering Muldwarka, Veraval, Diu, Jafrabad, Pipavav, Bhavnagar, Alang, Bharuch, Dahej, Magdalla, and Daman - is already experiencing unstable weather. Wind speeds in this region are projected to reach up to 65 kmph by May 26, with sea conditions becoming increasingly hazardous.

The IMD has also predicted light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy showers, over parts of South Gujarat between May 23 and 27. Sea conditions over the Eastcentral Arabian Sea and along the Konkan, Goa, and South Gujarat coasts are forecast to remain rough to very rough during this period.

“Sea condition is likely to be rough till the night of May 23... and will likely become rough to very rough from May 24 to 27,” the IMD bulletin said.

Fishing operations in the East central and adjoining Northeast Arabian Sea will remain suspended from May 25 to 27.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)