Wet spell soaks up summer

Vadodara: After a long wait, the south-west monsoon made its official entry in Vadodara on Monday evening as the city received the first spell of rains, indicating the onset of monsoon season.
In fact, the city registered 76 mm (three inches) rainfall within two hours between 6 pm and 8 pm.
It rained relief as the pleasant smell of the wet soil mesmerized citizens.Barodians - both young and old - thronged the city roads and terraces to welcome the showers that were accompanied by thunderstorms.
Those who weren't prepared started scurrying for cover while others simply enjoyed long drives on rain-kissed roads.
"Since last many days, I was bringing my raincoat to office but it never rained. Today, when I haven't brought it, it suddenly rained," said Pritesh Patel. "But, I have no complains," he said.
Some areas like Laheripura area, Kothi kacheri, Tandalja and Vasna-Bhayli among others witnessed a black out even as officials of the Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited worked hard to restore the power supply in these area.
Social media was replete with pictures of hail stones and puddles of water caused by the sudden downpour being uploaded by people relishing the respite from the heat.
Since last week, cloudy skies had covered the city slightly ameliorating the sweltering heat but rains had kept Barodians yearning. In fact, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Gujarat office had declared the arrival of monsoon in the state on June 22.
"My friends in far-off Saurashtra and even nearby Anand were enjoying rains but we hadn't experienced even a drizzle," said Saurabh Gupta, a student of M S University, who along with his friends went on a long drive to Sindhrot to enjoy the scenic beauty on the outskirts of the city.
The wet spell downed the mercury levels bringing much relief to the citizens who had to do with slowed down traffic in peak hours in the evening.
Two trees fell down at near Kothi crossroads and Shreeji apartment near New VIP Road while an electric wire attached to an electric pole fell down at near Bapu ni dargah on Gorwa road disrupting traffic movement for some time.