What Is the IMD's Rainfall Forecast for Gujarat?

Gandhinagar, Aug 31 (NationPress) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted extensive rainfall across Gujarat in the upcoming days, with various districts under yellow and orange alerts. The predictions indicate the potential for heavy downpours throughout the initial week of September.

A yellow alert is in effect for Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

On September 1-2, significant rainfall is expected in Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

An orange alert was issued for Chhota Udepur and Narmada on September 3, predicting very heavy rain. A yellow alert continues for Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

On September 4, an orange alert is declared for Dang and Tapi, while the yellow alert remains for Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Additionally, Saurashtra-Kutch districts, including Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, and Diu, might also see heavy rainfall.

By September 5, the orange alerts are anticipated to diminish, yet heavy rain is still likely in isolated areas across Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Kheda, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, and Diu.

This monsoon, Gujarat has received nearly 85 percent of its seasonal average rainfall, with exceptionally heavy showers over the past week resulting in 44 talukas exceeding 1,000 mm of rainfall and significantly filling the state’s river systems.

The surge in precipitation has considerably raised water storage levels: the Sardar Sarovar Dam is currently at about 84 percent capacity, while the state’s 206 monitored reservoirs average around 78 percent full—with 67 already exceeding 100 percent capacity, 27 between 90-100 percent, and 27 more between 80-90 percent.

Key dams across regions are showing a similar robust status: the Dharoi Dam is storing 82 percent of its capacity with significant inflows over 42,000 cusecs and regulated outflows; Kadana (Mahisagar) has started releasing nearly 100,000 cusecs, triggering alerts in downstream areas. Recent widespread rainfall has filled 76 dams to between 70-100 percent, leading to official warnings for 26 of them, emphasizing the need for careful water management.