Kutch (Gujarat): Heavy rains turned sandy Kutch desert like a sea on Thursday. Against the usual sand patterns resembling waves, Kutch desert had real waves as the rains lashed Gujarat due to the effect of Cyclone Gulab. Many parts of Gujarat are receiving torrential rainfall last two days. Due to heavy downpour, the Rann of Kutch has been flooded.
The flooded Rann of Kutch has turned into a viral video on social media. The video taken near Hajipir shows the Kutch desert like a sea. It is worth mentioning that in the desert, water does not seep into the ground quickly, so it stays flooded.
For the 24 hours ending on Thursday morning, the rainfall was recorded across the Kutch region like 45 mm in Abadsa, 79 mm in Anjar, 44 mm in Bhachau, 56 mm in Bhuj, 35 mm in Gandhidham, 35 mm in Lakhpat. MM, 39 mm in Mandvi, 73 mm in Mundra, 52 mm in Nakhtrana, 32 mm in Rapar.
Kutch district received 104 percent rainfall of the season. Out of ten talukas, 4 talukas Bhuj, Anjar, Gandhidham and Nakhtrana have received more than 100% rainfall this season. Other talukas have also received 65% to 95% rainfall this season.
Cyclone Gulab has turned into a depression, moved into the Gulf of Kutch and is likely to further intensify into a cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. Due to this weather system, heavy rains were witnessed in Gujarat's Saurashtra region in the last 24 hours.
The IMD has predicted heavy rains in the state's coastal districts over the next two days. Rajkot city has been witnessing heavy rains for the last three days. Currently, water is flowing from both the banks on many of the bridges connecting several parts of the city which has created a risky situation.
The Rajkot Municipal Corporation and the administration are also keeping a close watch on the low-lying areas around the dam and the river. In districts like Amreli and Junagadh, the Shetrunji dam is receiving the highest amount of 61,360 cusecs of water due to rains since Wednesday.
As a result, 59 gates have been opened and 4 feet 9 inches of water is flowing over the gates. It's raining heavily in Junagadh for the last 2 days. Most of the reservoirs and irrigation schemes are overflowing.
Heavy rainfall is expected for the next two days in the coastal districts of Jamnagar, Porbandar, Dwarka and Kutch, IMD warned and asked fishermen not to venture into the sea. Due to the present weather system, Junagadh, Amreli, Dwarka, Jamnagar and Rajkot districts received heavy rains in the last 24 hours, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said.
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