Ahmedabad is in the grip of an active monsoon system, with persistent showers soaking the city and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to maintain a yellow alert. The alert extends over the coming days, as authorities brace for more rainfall, strong winds, and possible disruptions in public infrastructure and daily life.
The city recorded an average of 0.63 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours ending Sunday evening, pushing the season’s cumulative rainfall to 15.52 inches. Most of the precipitation was concentrated in eastern and southern zones, while western areas saw comparatively lighter showers. A building collapse in the Juhapura locality, reportedly caused by waterlogging and structural fatigue, injured one woman—signalling rising concerns over civic safety during the ongoing monsoon spell. Across the city, rain patterns remained uneven yet substantial. In the eastern zone, Viratnagar topped the rainfall charts with 1.1 inches, while Vatva and Maninagar logged 0.94 and 0.77 inches respectively. The central zone registered a moderate 0.57-inch average, with pockets like Tagore Control and Vasna measuring around 0.73 inches.
In the west, where rainfall has been milder, Bodakdev, Science City, and Gota reported between 0.35 and 0.49 inches. Maktampura in the southwest recorded 0.85 inches, while northwestern pockets like Memko saw 0.75 inches. According to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s records, the highest zone-wise average was recorded in the south zone at 0.86 inches. In contrast, Kadi in Mehsana district witnessed the most rainfall in the state, with 3.58 inches within a 12-hour period. It was closely followed by Viramgam in Ahmedabad district with 3.31 inches and Kalol in Gandhinagar with 2.05 inches. These intense downpours have raised water levels across urban catchments and rural reservoirs, hinting at improved groundwater recharge—but also heightening the risk of flash floods and landslides in sensitive regions.
The IMD has maintained a yellow alert for Ahmedabad, forecasting light to moderate rainfall with gusts reaching 30 to 40 kmph in the coming days. Meanwhile, an orange alert has been activated for Porbandar, Dwarka, Junagadh, and Kutch, where very heavy rainfall is expected. For Sunday alone, Kutch district was placed under high vigilance, with IMD models projecting isolated deluges. The forecast for early July looks no less intense. On Monday, heavy rain is predicted across Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, and parts of south Gujarat including Valsad and Navsari. By Tuesday, the situation is likely to escalate further in districts such as Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Sabarkantha, Dahod, and Gir Somnath, with predictions of very heavy rainfall.
This widespread monsoon activity is attributed to a cyclonic circulation currently positioned over south Rajasthan and northern Gujarat, interacting with a trough line stretching across western and central India. Weather experts believe this convergence is sustaining the wet spell across the state. Environmental planners and sustainability experts say while the rainfall brings relief from heatwaves and improves water security in the short term, the city’s stormwater drainage and housing resilience remain deeply inadequate. Rapid urbanisation and unregulated construction, particularly in low-lying and informal housing zones, expose marginalised populations to severe climate vulnerability.
Officials from the state disaster management authority have stated that inter-agency coordination is underway to ensure timely responses to emergencies such as waterlogging, treefalls, and infrastructure failures. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has activated its control rooms across zones, urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel during peak rain hours. In addition to urban risks, rural areas are also on alert. South Gujarat’s districts—particularly Navsari and Valsad—have been flagged for possible inundation due to backflow from riverine systems and poor natural drainage. Local governance bodies have been advised to stock essential supplies and alert local residents through community networks.
For the next five days, the people of Gujarat—especially in cities like Ahmedabad and Surat—are being advised to stay indoors during thunderstorms, maintain distance from open areas, and follow advisories issued by the IMD and local civic bodies. The state government has urged infrastructure and construction companies to follow rain-resilient protocols and prioritise worker safety at sites. The IMD’s extended forecasts suggest monsoon activity will remain strong till at least July 6, with minor fluctuations depending on wind movement and low-pressure developments in adjoining states.
While the showers bring a welcome boost to agricultural prospects in the state’s hinterlands, urban Gujarat faces a different challenge altogether—adapting its dense and fragile infrastructure to climate-responsive planning. Without urgent investments in sustainable drainage, resilient housing, and public transport immunity to climate events, cities like Ahmedabad could continue to struggle under each monsoon’s mounting pressure.
As citizens wade through waterlogged streets, what remains clear is the urgent need to recalibrate our cities not just for growth, but for climate harmony—where every drop of rain enhances, not endangers, urban life.
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