Rain red alert: Intense monsoon to flood Gujarat, heavy downpour to hit Rajasthan

The IMD has issued a red alert for several Gujarat districts as a fresh monsoon surge intensifies rainfall across western India. The active system is set to spread heavy showers into Rajasthan, raising flooding risks while easing recent humid conditions.

In Short

• Several Gujarat districts may see thunderstorms, lightning activity
• Authorities warned of waterlogging, traffic snarls, falling trees
• Cyclonic circulation over western MP is feeding moisture across the region

A fresh surge in monsoon activity is set to unleash widespread heavy rainfall across western India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for several districts of Gujarat as an intensifying weather system moves steadily westward.

According to the IMD's latest nowcast, districts including Vadodara, Bharuch, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Navsari, Dang, Valsad, Ahmedabad, Anand, Bhavnagar, Botad and Panchmahal are likely to witness heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and wind speeds of 41-61 kmph over the next few hours.

Authorities have warned of waterlogging, traffic disruptions, falling trees and an increased risk of lightning strikes.

The alert comes as a monsoon cyclonic circulation over western Madhya Pradesh has intensified, providing abundant moisture and instability across central and western India.

Meteorologists said the system is expected to continue triggering intense thunderstorms over western Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, southeast Rajasthan and eastern Gujarat, before gradually shifting westward over the coming days.

As the circulation progresses, rainfall activity is forecast to expand further into Rajasthan. Forecasters said the next two to four days will likely bring the most-awaited spell of monsoon thunderstorms to southwest Rajasthan, a region that has been waiting for a significant rainfall event this season.

South Rajasthan, including districts bordering Gujarat, is expected to receive widespread moderate to heavy showers, with isolated locations likely to witness very heavy rainfall.

The increased precipitation is expected to provide much-needed relief from recent hot and humid conditions while significantly improving seasonal rainfall totals.

Satellite imagery from INSAT-3DS shows towering convective cloud bands stretching from western Madhya Pradesh into Gujarat, with dense cloud clusters building over the Arabian Sea and adjoining land areas.

The satellite observations indicate that the atmosphere remains highly favourable for deep thunderstorm development across western India.

The strengthening monsoon pulse is also expected to enhance rainfall over parts of Maharashtra, while central India continues to remain under the influence of the cyclonic circulation.

The IMD has advised residents in the red alert districts to remain indoors during periods of intense thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, stay away from open fields and water bodies, and monitor official weather updates.

With the weather system expected to remain active through the weekend, Gujarat and Rajasthan are likely to witness one of their strongest monsoon spells of the season, bringing the potential for both widespread rainfall and localised flooding.

- Ends