Rain, thunderstorms kill nine in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: The unusual thunderstorm and hailstorm in Gujarat caused by a cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan on Sunday claimed nine lives, said state government officials on Monday.
As the circulation persists, several parts of Gujarat including Ahmedabad are expected to receive rains on Monday and Tuesday.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that this summer, the state has received 34.7 mm rains so far, which is about 10 times higher than normal.Major rainfall was caused by seven western disturbances and cyclonic circulations experienced by the state between March 1 and May 29, which is also much higher than normal. After the unexpected hailstorm washed out the IPL final match on Sunday, wary cricket lovers kept a a close watch on the weather forecast on Monday when the match was rescheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Alok Kumar Pandey, the state relief commissioner, said that the state has recorded nine deaths due to thunderstorms and hailstorms on Sunday. Related report, & 5
'Dual system causing unseasonal rain'
The deaths included two each from Patan and Kheda districts, and one each from Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Banaskantha, Chhota Udepur and Botad districts. Majority of the deaths were caused by lightning and torrential rains, said officials.
Gujarat on Sunday had received major rainfall - 65 mm in Becharaji, 55 mm in Danta, 54 mm in Ahmedabad, 52 mm in Vadgam, and 50 mm in Chanasma among others. In all, 91 talukas had received 1 mm or more rainfall. Several parts of the state including districts of north Gujarat and Ahmedabad city recorded hailstorm where hailstones the size of large pebbles rained down on the city, giving the citizens a rare sight. For Ahmedabad city, it was the second highest single-day rainfall for a day in the month of May of all time.
Manorama Mohanty, head of the India Meteorological Department Gujarat, said, "The rains are caused by subsequent spells of western disturbance and cyclonic circulations. This season is normal for western disturbance, but if we talk about the year in the past decade, it would reach Gujarat at the end of May or beginning of June. Instead, this year we have recorded an average three spells of western disturbances for the past three months that have brought substantial rainfall," she said.
According to IMD forecast, light to moderate rainfall is expected in districts of north and central Gujarat along with parts of Saurashtra on Monday and Tuesday. The IMD report mentioned the state is experiencing dual systems of western disturbance and a cyclonic circulation from Monday. The impact is likely to continue till Tuesday night.
The heavy rains caused Ahmedabad to have one of the lowest ever maximum temperatures at 36.1°C on Monday, which was 5.6 degrees lower than normal. The minimum temperature at 21°C was 6.7 degrees lower than normal. On Tuesday, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 38°C, mentioned the IMD forecast. 'No large change in maximum temperatures during the next 4-5 days very likely over the region,' mentioned the forecast. Across Gujarat, only two weather stations - Rajkot (41.3°C) and Amreli (41°C) - recorded more than 40 degrees of maximum temperature.
The present summer is considered to be one of the coolest in the past several years due to the change in weather patterns, said Met department officials.
(With inputs from
Meghdoot Sharon)