The Meteorological department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Gujarat, Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli in the coming two days.

There is a low-pressure trough over Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, and westerly winds will bring rain over Gujarat from August 27 onwards, said Dr Kamaljit Ray, director of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Ahmedabad.

“This spell of rains in Gujarat, after a gap of nearly a month, will be highly beneficial for the standing crop,” she said. “It is likely to rain for three to four days during this spell.” The Meteorological department has detected increased cloud activity over south Gujarat, and heavy to moderate rainfall immediately.

Moderate to heavy rain is predicted in north and south Gujarat, while light to moderate rain is expected at a few places in Saurashtra region, the official added.

There has been virtually no rainfall in Gujarat since the end of July. At least 15 of 26 districts in the state have so far received less than 50 per cent rainfall, an IMD official said.

Of these, Dahod, Dangs, Anand, Bharuch, Surendranagar and Panchmahals have not received more than 40 per cent rains so far. The state has received 55 per cent rainfall till now. Gujarat has recorded 531.43 mm rainfall against 960.86 mm of average rainfall over the last 10 years, the official said.

(With PTI inputs)

Barodians welcome rains after month-long dry spell

Vadodara: After about a month-long dry spell, rains lashed Vadodara and its surrounding areas on Wednesday. The tribal-dominated taluka of Kwant registered 125 millimetres of rainfall till 7 pm, bringing respite for the farmers.

... contd.