The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a critical weather alert as a deep depression over North Gujarat and adjoining Southwest Rajasthan continues to impact the region. According to the National Bulletin No. 5 and Port Warning No. 05, released at 2110 hrs and 1800 hrs IST respectively, the system, centered near latitude 24.5°N and longitude 71.2°E as of 1730 hrs IST today, is moving slowly northwestwards at 5 kmph. Positioned about 80 km west of Deesa (Gujarat), 60 km north-northwest of Radhanpur (Gujarat), and 200 km northeast of Bhuj (Gujarat), the depression is expected to track nearly westwards across Kutch and adjoining Southwest Rajasthan and Pakistan over the next 48 hours before weakening.
The IMD has forecasted significant rainfall across multiple regions. North Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch are bracing for light to moderate rain, with heavy to extremely heavy falls (≥21 cm) at isolated places, particularly on September 7th and 8th. Isolated exceptionally heavy rainfall (≥30 cm) is also likely. South Gujarat Region and Coastal Maharashtra are expected to experience light to moderate rain, with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated spots. West Rajasthan and East Rajasthan will see similar patterns, with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on September 7th and 8th. The depression is likely to bring squally weather, with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph along Gujarat and North Konkan coasts until September 9th, decreasing thereafter.
Sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough along the Gujarat and northeast Arabian Sea coasts until September 9th, prompting advisories for fishermen to avoid venturing into these areas. Small ships and shipping activities, along with tourism and recreational operations, are to be monitored and regulated. The IMD warns of potential impacts, including damage to plantations, horticulture, and standing crops, partial damage to vulnerable structures, and road and rail traffic disruptions due to heavy rain. Localized landslides, mudslides, and water logging are possible, with occasional reduction in visibility and flooding in low-lying areas. Helicopter services may also be affected.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant, move to safer places if conditions worsen, and take precautions against lightning and flooding. Tourism activities are to be regulated, and people are advised to avoid vulnerable areas due to potential transport disruptions. The next bulletin will be issued at 0230 hrs IST on September 8th.
A Port Warning has been issued: Keep Local Cautionary Signal-III (LCS-III) hoisted at all ports along the Gujarat coast, namely Jakhau, Mandvi (Kutch), Mundra, New Kandla, Navlakhi, Jamnagar, Salaya, Okha, Porbandar, Muldwarka, Veraval, Diu, Jafrabad, Pipavav, Victor, Bhavnagar, Alang, Bharuch, Dahej, Magdalla, and Daman.!
Rann of Kutch Water Logged due to Heavy Rain. (Courtesy : Bharat Manwar)
Road Blocked due to heavy rain in Banni, Kutch
