Rajkot: Rajkot district collector Om Prakash on Thursday urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel for the next two to three days as the district braces for heavy to very heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in Gujarat.Addressing reporters, Prakash said talatis and other govt officials have been directed to remain at their headquarters and coordinate with volunteers to handle rain-related emergencies. “An SDRF team is on standby. If required, we will mobilise the NDRF and the Army for rescue operations,” he stated.The administration has identified around 170–180 low-lying villages along rivers and near dams that could face flooding. Arrangements have been made to evacuate residents if necessary, while primary school buildings have been designated as temporary shelters. First-aid kits, essential medicines, food packets and drinking water have also been kept ready.The Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL) has been instructed to maintain electricity supply to critical facilities, particularly hospitals. Residents have been cautioned against the risk of electrocution and advised to stay away from water bodies and flooded areas.The collector also appealed to people not to venture out for recreation or sightseeing, warning that water levels could rise suddenly. Fire brigade teams of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation and municipalities including Gondal and Jetpur have been placed on alert. Families have been advised to admit pregnant women whose deliveries are expected over the next two or three days to hospitals in advance as a precaution.Saurashtra is expected to bear the brunt of the fresh spell, with the IMD forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in Bhavnagar, Botad, Morbi, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Amreli and Kutch over Friday and Saturday, while isolated places in Rajkot and Surendranagar could receive extremely heavy rain. In central and south Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Dang and Chhota Udepur are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy spells. Narmada district faces the highest risk, with the IMD warning of isolated exceptionally heavy rainfall.IMD director Ashok Kumar Das said a deep depression over Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh is moving west-northwest and is expected to reach Gujarat on Friday. “The system will weaken into a depression as it advances but will bring heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places across the state,” he said. According to the forecast, the system will move towards north Gujarat and Kutch by Sunday, leaving light to moderate showers over the rest of the state. The weather system is being reinforced by a shear zone, the monsoon trough and an active Western Disturbance.
