Ahmedabad takes heart from clouds

SURAT: Valsad and Navsari districts, including the coastal parts, were lashed by first showers of the season on Wednesday even as Ahmedabad reeled under extended summer and was forced to take consolation from cloudy sky. City recorded temperature close to 40 degrees, a good four degrees above normal.
Weather officials said that while some rains are expected, but only in south Gujarat and Saurashtra.There are no chances of getting rains in north and central Gujarat.
"There is little possibility of rains in Gujarat barring some rains in south Gujarat till July 7. We will review the situation next week to make fresh predictions," IMD (Gujarat) director Jayanta Sarkar said.
In south Gujarat, delayed by over three weeks as June 10 is the normal date for onset of monsoon, the steady downpour resulted in waterlogging in low-lying areas, especially in tribal dominated Dharampur taluka in Valsad, disrupting traffic along the NH-8, Valsad and Navsari towns.
Residents of Vapi and Navsari, who were experiencing severe heat for the last several days, heaved a sigh of relief following the heavy downpour that started at 11pm. While the downpour continued for two hours at a stretch in most parts, areas like Vapi, Kaparada and Dharampur witnessed rains till 4.30pm. Dharampur taluka received the highest 45mm rains.
The residents in Vapi and Navsari poured out on the roads to enjoy the first showers on Wednesday. Officials at Valsad flood control office said Vapi received 15mm of rain, Valsad 8mm, Kaprada 7mm and Pardi 2mm. In Navsari district, Khergam received maximum rainfall of 55mm, while Navsari town received 19mm followed by 15mm in Jalalpore, 22mm in Gandevi and 9mm in Chikhli.
"A low pressure area has now formed over Arabian Sea, which has caused rainfall in parts of south Gujarat, including Valsad and Navsari. We expect the rainfall to last with the same intensity for the next 48 hours," an official from the Indian Meteorological Department said.