Pre-monsoon downpour cools Gujarat, more rain on cards

Gandhinagar, June 8 (IANS) Gujarat on Monday witnessed heavy rain in most parts of the state, spelling respite from almost two months of sizzling summer, and more rain is likely in the next three-four days.

Although, the monsoon's entry in Gujarat is expected after June 15, around 15 days after it arrives in Kerala, torrential downpour brought the high summer temperatures down in most parts of the state with 54 blocks (tehsils) receiving more than 2 mm rain.

Bhavnagar received the maximum rain (83 mm) in eight hours till 2 p.m. Vallabhipur, another tehsil in Bhavnagar, received 63 mm, Umrala and Amreli district's Savarkundla 48 mm each, Ghogha tehsil in Bhavnagar 36 mm and Manavadar tehsil in Junagarh 33 mm of rain.

Ahmedabad was almost brought to standstill as many parts of the city witnessed water-logging. Also, even in the afternoon the visibility was reduced to almost nil.

In many parts of Saurashtra, several trees were uprooted. Many check-dams were reported to be overflowing in many districts of Saurashtra, like Botad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli.

In 15 minutes, Nadiad city received 2 inches of rain. Rajkot city received around 3 mm rain.

Although the pre-monsoon rain is believed to have caused some damage to the onion crop in Bhavnagar, majority of farmers in the state are happy and are expecting good rain this year.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast more pre-monsoon rain accompanied by thunders, lightning and windy weather in the next three-four days.

--IANS

amc/pcj