Citizens cheer fresh spell of rains, more forecast today

VADODARA: Barodians will have to brace up for rains in next 24 hours. The weather department has forecast heavy to very heavy rains in the city and surrounding region on Thursday. The city witnessed light showers throughout the day on Wednesday and the weather remained overcast. The district administration is already on alert due to forecast of heavy rains but no evacuation orders have been given to those staying on river banks.
According to the district administration, Vadodara district received 181mm of rainfall from 8 am to 8 pm on Wednesday. The city areas witnessed 16mm of rainfall while Karjan recorded 40mm and Savli got 32mm of rainfall on Wednesday. Many areas in the city, including the walled city, witnessed water-logging causing trouble to commuters. With civic body carrying out development works in areas like Gotri, Fatehgunj and Karelibaug, the woes of commuters have only worsened. The civic officials, too, have begun preparations for tackling complaints regarding water-loggings and road cave-ins.
Youngsters, however, gave the city the slip and headed towards Sindhrot Bridge on the outskirts. They preferred to enjoy the drizzle on the banks of Mahi River and munch on boiled corn. Many took a break and went on long drives towards Sevasi or Vasad highway.
A good spell of rain across south Gujarat from Wednesday morning has revived hopes of farmers in the region. All talukas of five districts in south Gujarat recorded up to 50mm of rains during the day. Three places in the Dang recorded more than 100mm of rain till 4 pm on Wednesday.
Surat city witnessed light showers the whole day that turned into a downpour late in the afternoon.
Ahwa recorded 104mm rains till 4 pm whereas the hill station of Saputara received 118mm and Wagai got 101mm.
Meanwhile, Ukai dam and entire south Gujarat is set to get a new lease of life with heavy water inflow likely to begin by Wednesday night. The dam is expected to be filed up to safe levels of 320 feet by Sunday.
With heavy rains up to 180mm at an average lashing the upper basin of Tapi river upstream of Hathnoor dam, authorities have started releasing 4 lakh cusecs of water in the river.