Commuters wade through a waterlogged street after heavy rain. (Photo: PTI)

No relief for Gujarat: What to expect from monsoon on Sunday

A rain-bearing weather system may be weakening, but moisture flowing in from the Arabian Sea is expected to keep showers and thunderstorms active across large parts of the state, prolonging an already disruptive monsoon spell.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Gujarat to see heavy rain on August 2 amid weakening monsoon system
  • IMD warns of rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds in central and south Gujarat
  • Low-pressure area from central India pulling moisture from Arabian Sea

Gujarat is unlikely to get any immediate relief from the active monsoon spell, with heavy rain expected to continue across several parts of the state on Sunday, August 2, even as the weather system responsible for the downpour gradually weakens.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are likely to persist over many districts, particularly in central and south Gujarat, after days of widespread rainfall that has disrupted normal life in several areas.

The state has been among the worst-hit regions during the latest phase of the southwest monsoon.

A waterlogged area is seen after heavy rainfall in Gujarat. (Photo: PTI)

WHY IS GUJARAT DRENCHED IN HEAVY RAIN?

The ongoing wet spell has been driven by a low-pressure area, which evolved from a depression over central India and has been moving west-northwest towards Gujarat.

As the system travels across the state, it is pulling in large amounts of moisture from the Arabian Sea, triggering widespread rain and thunderstorms.

Over the past 24 to 48 hours, several parts of Gujarat have witnessed persistent moderate to heavy rainfall, with some places receiving very heavy showers.

People wade through water-logged streets after heavy rainfall. (Photo: PTI)

The IMD had earlier placed multiple districts under red alerts as the active monsoon system intensified, raising concerns over waterlogging, localised flooding and disruptions to road transport.

This comes just days after parts of the state experienced another spell of intense monsoon rain, highlighting how Gujarat has remained under the influence of successive weather systems during this year's monsoon season.

A collapsed building is seen in Gujarat after heavy monsoon rain. (Photo: PTI)

WHAT TO EXPECT ON SUNDAY

According to the IMD, rainfall activity is expected to continue across Gujarat on Sunday, although the intensity is likely to reduce gradually in some areas as the low-pressure system weakens after moving across the state.

Even so, heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds remain likely in several districts, especially during the day.

Neighbouring regions, including parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, are also expected to experience enhanced rainfall as the weather system tracks further west and northwest.

A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. (Photo: IMD)

While the monsoon is expected to stay active over Gujarat through the weekend, forecasts indicate that rainfall could become more scattered early next week as the current system loses strength.

However, with soils already saturated in many places after repeated bouts of rain, even fresh heavy showers could quickly lead to waterlogging and localised flooding.

The IMD has advised residents to keep track of the latest district-wise weather warnings as conditions may change depending on the movement of the monsoon system.

- Ends