Ahmedabad experienced a severe disruption on Sunday as heavy rains led to widespread flooding and waterlogging across the city. The deluge, which delivered 5 inches of rainfall within just four hours, primarily affected the western part of the city and its highways, forcing commuters to navigate through knee-deep water. The situation incited considerable frustration among residents, who vented their displeasure on social media, criticising the administration of Ahmedabad, which prides itself on its “Smart City” status.
Numerous areas including 132 Feet Ring Road, Helmet Circle, University Road, Gota, Vandemataram Road, Bopal, Ghuma, Ambli Road, Sindhu Bhavan Road, SG Highway, Seema Hall, Anandnagar Road, Ramdev Nagar Cross Road, Manekbaugh, and Srinandnagar in Vejalpur were severely affected. Vehicles parked near these roads were submerged, and several residential societies experienced power outages. The waterlogging led to extensive traffic jams, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing Metro Rail and overbridge construction in parts of the city. Despite the cessation of rain by 5 pm, water remained stagnant in many areas.Reports indicate that Ahmedabad received an average of 2.8 inches of rain between 6 am and 8 pm on Sunday. The North Zone recorded the highest rainfall at 3.24 inches, while the North West Zone recorded the lowest at 1.05 inches. However, certain localities experienced significantly higher rainfall, with Science City recording 6.73 inches, Gota 6.71 inches, Bopal 6.36 inches, Sarkhej 5.63 inches, and Naroda 4.72 inches.
Four underpasses—Akhbarnagar, Mithakali, LC 26 at Makarba, and LC 1C at Chandlodiya—were temporarily closed due to waterlogging. The rains also caused extensive damage, including the uprooting of trees, 31 severe waterlogging incidents, and two road cave-ins. Additionally, two wall collapses—one of a house and another of a society—were reported, though fortunately, no injuries occurred.According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Ahmedabad and Surat (which recorded 5.15 inches of rain) were among the major cities in Gujarat to experience heavy rainfall on Sunday. The maximum temperature in Ahmedabad on Sunday was recorded at 32.5 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 26.8 degrees Celsius, which is normal.The unexpected downpour has raised questions about the city’s preparedness and infrastructure resilience, especially concerning the ongoing urban development projects. As Ahmedabad continues to modernise, this incident highlights the need for robust water management and drainage systems to mitigate the impact of such weather events in the future.
