Gujarat rains: Rare monsoon cyclone may follow intense rainfall, scientist warns

People cross a flooded street after heavy rains, in Ahmedabad, on August 29, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Gujarat has been hit by intense rainfall over the past few days, leading to the issuance of a ‘Red Alert’ across the state. On August 29, rainfall surged to over 100-250 mm in several districts, with Dwarka experiencing around 275 mm. The deluge was especially severe in Saurashtra and Kutch.

The weather department has issued warnings for strong winds gusting up to 60 km/h along and off the South Gujarat Region, Saurashtra, Kutch, and the north Maharashtra coasts from August 29 to 31. These warnings are linked to a cyclonic disturbance currently affecting the region.

Senior IMD scientist Monika Sharma explained that while cyclones forming during the southwest monsoon season (June to September) are rare, they do occasionally occur. “It can happen, but it is very rare. There have been a few instances in the past. Though its genesis was over the land, it was fuelled by high moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea. But once it forms, the cyclone may not be very strong,” Sharma noted.

The India Meteorological Department reported that the depression over Saurashtra and Kutch has been progressing slowly westward, currently situated 70 km northwest of Bhuj and 60 km northeast of Naliya. It is projected to continue moving west-southwest, eventually reaching the northeast Arabian Sea off Kachchh, as well as the adjacent Saurashtra and Pakistan coasts, where it is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm by August 30. Following this, the IMD indicated that it will likely persist in moving west-southwest over the northeast Arabian Sea, moving away from the Indian coast over the next two days.

Rain-related incidents in Gujarat have resulted in 26 fatalities over the past four days, with approximately 17,800 people evacuated from flood-affected regions amid ongoing heavy showers.

(With News18 inputs)