Ahmedabad/Surat/Vadodara/Rajkot: Torrential rain lashed large parts of Gujarat on Monday, ending a prolonged monsoon lull and bringing much-needed relief. The spell, however, claimed seven lives over Sunday and Monday and triggered widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls and localised flooding across parts of Saurashtra, central and south Gujarat.Till 8 pm on Monday, 259 out of 268 talukas of the state received at least 1 mm rain. Vallabhipur in Bhavnagar received the highest rainfall of 155 mm , followed by 140 mm in Borsad (Anand), 124 mm in Kotada-Sangani in Rajkot and 113 mm in Una, Gir Somnath.According to State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) data, seven deaths associated with rainfall were recorded on Sunday and Monday; the deaths included two in Morbi due to electrocution, one each in Ahmedabad and Surat due to structural collapse, one each in Chhota Udepur and Surendranagar due to drowning and one in Porbandar due to a lightning strike.Heavy rains are likely to continue for one more day on Tuesday, especially in Saurashtra,with light to moderate rains in other parts, after which the intensity of rain may reduce, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast stated. With widespread rain on Sunday, the overall rain deficit in the state as on 6 am Monday stood at 20%. This is likely to go further down considering heavy rains on Monday.Ahmedabad city till 8 pm received 88 mm rain, one of the highest this season, whereas Daskroi taluka in the city’s periphery received 89 mm rain. Since morning, the city experienced cloudy weather that soon gave way to continuous showers till 5 pm. Massive waterlogging was reported in eastern and western parts – Sarkhej received the highest 144 mm rain, followed by 143 mm in Vatva and 135 mm in Bopal among others. Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) responded to 22 distress calls, including rescuing 25 students from a bus of Zebar School in Mumatpura that got stuck in rain waters.In Saurashtra, Rajkot, Amreli, Porbandar, Junagadh, Gir Somnath and parts of Bhavnagar district received heavy rains. Stretches of 150 feet ring road in Rajkot recorded major waterlogging with commuters and vehicles stranded. Vallabhipur was waterlogged heavily with 90 mm rain in a matter of just two hours in the afternoon. The rain, however, brought relief to farmers who were eagerly waiting for the spell to save the crops. In Porbandar, a man and a water buffalo were reported dead after lightning.Heavy waterlogging affected several parts of Vadodara city and prompted the district administration to declare a holiday for schools and colleges.Several highways in the Saurashtra region were also closed temporarily due to heavy flow of water, said the state govt officials. In places like Tarnetar in Surendranagar – famous for the fair – the premises were closed for some time as the ground became slippery. The rain, however, did not dampen the spirit of Ganesh Utsav on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday as hundreds and thousands of devotees brought Ganpati Bappa home amid fanfare and fervour.Heavy rains are likely to continue for one more day on Tuesday after which the intensity of rain may reduce, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast: on Tuesday, parts of Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Kachchh are likely to receive heavy rainfall, whereas other parts of the state may experience light to moderate showers.
