Friday, June 24: In spite of the on-time arrival of the southwest monsoon over Gujarat, its progression across the state has stalled over the southern districts, with the monsoon’s northern limit passing through Porbandar and Baroda as of today. For the next four days, however, this southern region looks set to experience some intense rainfall activity.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an off-shore trough, a middle-level cyclonic circulation over east-central Arabian Sea (off the Maharashtra coast) and strong westerly winds along the western coast will collectively create wet conditions over parts of western and southwestern India.
This wet spell will also engulf southern Gujarat, where isolated heavy rains, thunderstorms, lightning, squall and strong winds have been forecast for the next four days — from Friday to Monday, June 24-27.
In view of these predictions, the IMD’s regional met centre in Ahmedabad has issued a yellow watch (‘be aware’ of local weather situation) over the following districts of the West Indian state:
Friday, June 24: Porbandar, Amreli, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Anand, Khera, Surat, Tapi, Navsari, Dangs and Valsad
Saturday, June 25: Amreli, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Anand, Khera, Surat, Tapi, Navsari, Dangs and Valsad
Sunday, June 26: Tapi, Navsari, Dangs and Valsad
Monday, June 27: Tapi, Navsari, Dangs and Valsad
3-day rain forecast from Friday to Saturday.
(TWC Met Team)
While this wet spell persists, the latest bulletin issued by the IMD has indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to cover the remaining parts of Gujarat towards the end of this week.
Meanwhile, these meteorological conditions also led to rainfall at isolated locations in Gujarat’s Saurashtra & Kutch subdivision yesterday, i.e. Thursday, June 23. Porbandar, which recorded up to 3 cm precipitation between Thursday morning and evening, was among the wettest places across India on the day.
But all things considered, the monsoon is yet to activate in full force across Gujarat, and this very fact has resulted in the state recording below-average rainfall so far this month.
Between June 1 and 23, Gujarat has collectively registered just 33.1 mm precipitation — a 49% ‘deficit’ as compared to its long-term average for this period, which stands at 64.6 mm.
