Lightning kills two as rains drench coastal Saurashtra

Rajkot: The south-west monsoon strengthened over the state and brought light to moderate rains in most of the coastal towns of Saurashtra with Veraval in Gir-Somnath recording the highest rainfall of 60mm on Saturday, even as two deaths due to lightning were reported from Morbi and Kutch districts.
While the weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall for the next 48 hours, it has predicted heavy rains at isolated places in south Gujarat and Saurashtra during the same period.
A 14-year-old girl from Haripara village in Abdasa taluka of Kutch was struck by lightning while working at her farm. Similarly, a 52-year-old farmer from Morbi's Paneli village, Mulu Bharvad, died after being struck by lightning in his field on Friday night.
According to flood control room, the showers were recorded in coastal districts of Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh, Gir-Somnath, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka on Saturday.
Veraval received highest rainfall of 60mm followed by Sutrapada (50mm), Dwarka (40mm), Talala (31mm) and Mahuva (26mm).
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that upper air cyclonic circulation lies over south Gujarat and adjoining north Konkan, while the off-shore trough at mean sea level from south Gujarat coast to north Kerala coast also persists. This system is likely to cause light to moderate rains in south Gujarat and coastal Saurashtra region.
The weather department has also issued a high wave warning for coastal regions and asked fishermen to be cautious while venturing into sea. "High waves in the range of 3-4.6 metre are forecast between 5.30pm on June 25 to 11.30pm on June 27 along the coast from Jakhau to Diu," the forecast stated.
According to agriculture department officials, sowing was completed in 35,200 hectare area in Saurashtra region till June 20. Of the total 35,200 hectare area sowing in the region, cotton sowing was reported in 20,000 hectare area.
"Rains will accelerate agricultural sowing in the region which has been delayed this year due to delayed monsoon and lack of groundwater availability for pre-monsoon sowing," said an official.