Air travelers had a severe time reaching the Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport in Ahmedabad; the highest precipitation of 116 mm was recorded at Matar in Kheda, followed by Kalol in Panchmahal.
After a halt of over 10 days, the southwest monsoon has finally progressed into Gujarat, bringing much-needed rainfall to most parts of the state on Monday and Tuesday.
While the showers have provided relief from the summer heat, they have also caused significant disruptions, especially in Ahmedabad.
Waterlogging and Traffic Disruptions
Ahmedabad Impacted
Several areas in Ahmedabad reported severe waterlogging and infrastructure issues, including cave-ins near Khokhra’s Anupam Cinema.
High-velocity winds led to the felling of trees in Makarba, Andhjan Mandal, Ramdevnagar, and Shyamal crossroads, causing major traffic snarls on Tuesday morning.
International Flyers Struggle
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International travelers had a particularly tough time reaching the Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport.
Sunil Parekh, a senior strategy advisor for the Zydus Cadila group, shared his experience of attempting to drop off his daughter for a Qatar Airways flight.
“The road leading to the international terminal was completely flooded around 1:30 to 2:00 am.
Two underbridges were also closed. We feared missing the flight,” Parekh told The Indian Express. “Over 20 cars got stuck due to the waterlogging. My daughter had to wade through the water while boarding the airplane.”
Measures Taken and Rainfall Data
Vasna Barrage Gates Opened
To manage the water inflow, four gates of the Vasna barrage were opened by 2 feet.
Rainfall Statistics
- Matar in Kheda: 116 mm (highest)
- Kalol in Panchmahal: 93 mm
- Chuda in Surendranagar: 90 mm
- Other notable areas: Mehmedabad (84 mm) in Kheda, Dhandhuka (67 mm) in Ahmedabad, Lalpur (65 mm) in Jamnagar, Mansa (48 mm) in Gandhinagar, Olpad (47 mm) in Surat, and several others.
Over 150 talukas out of the total 251 reported rainfall, with Ahmedabad city recording an average of 30 mm. The north zone received the highest rainfall at 65 mm, including Memko and Naroda with 87.5 mm each.
IMD Weather Warning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Banaskantha, while heavy rains are predicted for Sabarkantha, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Dang, Tapi, Valsad, and parts of Saurashtra including Junagadh, Amreli, and Gir Somnath. Other regions are expected to witness light to moderate rainfall.
Conclusion
While the monsoon rains bring much-needed relief and water supply to Gujarat, they also highlight the need for improved infrastructure to handle such weather conditions.
Residents and authorities alike must remain vigilant as the monsoon progresses to avoid further disruptions and ensure safety.
