The Southwest monsoon has been vigorous over central and western parts of the country, while it was active over south and eastern regions. The normal life was thrown out of gear, following heavy rains in Mumbai on Saturday.
The India Meteorological Department warned of “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in Mumbai and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, India Met Department, Mumbai, tweets, ‘With the development of low pressure area over Bay, this Saturday night and Sunday, Mumbai is very likely to get intense heavy rainfall.’
“As per IMD, there is a warning of heavy rainfall on Saturday along with a high tide of 4.90 meters at 1.44 pm season’s highest tide. We appeal citizens to avoid venturing near sea or walking in water logged areas. In any emergency call us on 1916,” tweeted BMC.
Heavy rains in Mumbai on Saturday once again hit the road and rail traffic. While traffic snarls and water-logging were reported from different parts of the city, some local trains on three main lines – Western Line, Central Line and Harbour Line – were also delayed.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, the Central Railway confirmed that ‘suburban trains were running with cautious speed’ and hence they were delayed. The Central Railway, however, added that there was ‘no hold up of traffic as of now’.
The tweet by Central Railway said, ‘Due to heavy rains, suburban trains are running with cautious speed causing some delays but no hold up of traffic as of now. Inconvenience is regretted.’ Following technical snag near Goregaon, the western railway was also hit. There were 15-20 minutes delay in the train services.
‘Technical problem in point at Goregaon up fast line, trains being run after clamping the point leading to 15-20min delay. WR team attending the issue. Services to be normalised soon,’ tweeted the Western railway.
Heavy to extremely heavy rain lashed parts of south and central Gujarat on Saturday, throwing normal life out of gear but coming as a boon for dam-reservoirs.Khambhat in Anand district received maximum 371 mm.
With more heavy rain in flood-ravaged Vadodara city which has experienced 69 mm of rain this afternoon and fresh warning of heavy to very heavy rain by the Met department, the district administration has issued fresh alert and advisory for the people there.
Collector Shalini Agrawal said that the warning was being spread to the public and alert has been sounded in low-lying areas as a precaution. ‘We have asked those people who had returned to low lying areas to move to safer places but there was no need to panic or lend ear to rumours as the system was ready and capable of dealing with any situation. National Disaster Response Force teams were still there in the city.’
Water-logging
It may be mentioned that after 499 mm of rain in just a day on July 31, Vadodara was flooded and over 9,000 people were shifted from low-lying areas by rescue teams assisted by Army and Air Force.
Khambhat in Anand district in central Gujarat witnessed maximum 371 mm of rain, Olpad in Surat 308 mm, Umerpada 219 mm, Dharampur in Valsad 153mm, Waghai in Dangs 149mm, Hansot in Bharuch 145mm, Vapi 140 mm, Kamrej in Surat 137 mm, Kaprada in Valsad 128mm, Surat city 126 mm and Pardi 116mm till 1600 hrs today.
A total 50 talukas received more than two inches of rain. Several roads were closed due to water logging. Rain water also entered residential areas at various places including those in Olpad town. In Dharmapur, the fire brigade rescued three people from a car trapped in water. A NDRF team today captured another crocodile in flooded Vadsar area of Vadodara, taking to at least five in residential areas from flooded Vishwamitri river.
Meanwhile, even as the ongoing spell of heavy to very heavy rain is causing some inconvenience to people, it is also proving to be a boon of sorts with regard to water storage in Gujarat.
Reservoirs
According to official information received from water resources department, at 0800 hrs today, of the total 204 dam-reservoirs in the state 42 have been filled up to 25 to 50% of their full capacity.
Four reservoirs have been 100% filled up. Seven were 70 to 100% while 15 were 50 to 70% filled up. The Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada in Kevadiya was 57.08% filled. There was in all 31.57% water in all the reservoirs combined in the state.
Region-wise, the 15 reservoirs of North Gujarat have 15.78% water, 17 of Central Gujarat 44.28%, 13 of South Gujarat 35.84%, 20 of Kutch 18.88% and 139 of Saurashtra region 18.95%.
Monsoon rain percentage in Gujarat has crossed the half way mark. Average rain percentage figures this morning after continuing spells of heavy rain in the state was 51.49%. With the heavy rain continuing today as well by 4 pm this afternoon it has crossed 53% mark.
In the past 24 hours ending 6 am today, a total of 174 talukas of 33 districts had seen rain with Mangrol in Surat district the maximum at 269mm. Till 4 pm today also a total of 135 talukas received rain with Khambhat in Anand seeing 371mm.
Region-wise Kutch has seen 35.93% which in volume terms was minimum across the state at 144 mm, North Gujarat has seen 33.63%, East Central Gujarat 43.85%, Saurashtra 47.26% and South Gujarat 67.49%.
District wise in percentage as well as volume terms Valsad in South Gujarat was at the top with 77.61% and 1709 mm. In percentage terms Gandhinagar 24.84% and 191 mm was at the lowest rung while Kutch as a district has received the minimum amount of rain in volume terms.
Accidents from east to west
An 18-year-old boy died of electrocution in Thane district of Maharashtra on Saturday, caused by incessant rains. In another incident, roof of the Royal Bakery near Mumbra police station caved in, injuring one person seriously. Reports said Vikrant Mohammad Choudhary (30) was seriously injured and rushed to private hospital.Several roads, nullahs, and housing societies were flooded and vehicles washed away.
The low-lying areas in the city were totally marooned and even in some housing complexes, the water rose to considerable height, forcing the residents to shift to other places. The schools declared holiday due to the heavy rains and floods in the city and buses and autos were off the road due to heavy downpour.
In Palghar district, several roads remained flooded and cut off from villages. The gates of the Surya dam have been opened, releasing the excess water. According to reports, several villages in the district have been cut off due to heavy downpour in the district. Some of the important roads are shut for traffic as nullah and rivers in the district are swollen.
(UNI)
