Unseasonal rain in Valsad; IMD has warned of heavy rain in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, Oct 23 (IANS) A sudden change in weather led to rain and strong winds in parts of Gujarat, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast of heavy rain across Gujarat and southern India.

A change in the weather was recorded in Valsad district of South Gujarat on Thursday, where heavy rains and strong winds created a ‘mini cyclone’ like situation. Valsad city and surrounding areas including Dharampur and Kaprada received heavy rainfall. Villages like Phulwadi, Jharia, Bhensadhara, Baroliya, Dhamani and Bilapuri received torrential rains, while strong winds damaged parts of the District Seva Sadan building.

Low-lying areas of the city are flooded and farmers fear loss of winter crops due to unseasonal rains at the beginning of the new year.

According to IMD, unseasonal rains are likely to continue in parts of South Gujarat, Sabarkantha, Mahisagar and Aravalli districts. The intensity of rain is expected to increase from October 25, with heavy rain predicted over South Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch.

Since the onset of the southwest monsoon on June 15, Gujarat has recorded nearly 90 per cent of the seasonal average rainfall till August 31. Regionally, south Gujarat and north Gujarat recorded around 94 per cent of their normal rainfall, while east-central districts recorded around 89 per cent rainfall.

At the beginning of the season, till August 1, South Gujarat had received about 997 mm of rain (about 67 per cent of the seasonal average) and North Gujarat had received 470 mm of rain (about 65 per cent of the seasonal average).

In June and July combined, the state recorded approximately 450.5 mm rainfall, with June alone receiving around 303 mm rainfall and July receiving around 147 mm rainfall. While the cumulative figures are fairly close to the average, surprising regional variations remain – and concerns remain about unseasonal rains and potential crop damage as post-monsoon disturbances begin to affect the state.

As of August 2025, the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River was more than 75 percent full, with 252,399 mcft of water. In about 206 other reservoirs in the state, the storage averaged about 69.62 per cent of capacity – including 31 reservoirs at 100 per cent capacity, 72 reservoirs between 70-100 per cent, and 33 still below 25 per cent. At the beginning of the season, as of July 1, the major dams were collectively at about 48.68 percent of their capacity (Sardar Sarovar ~ 48.23 percent).

–IANS

janvi/rad