In a major respite for the state, the Met office on Tuesday officially declared the onset of southwest monsoon in Gujarat. This year, rains have been delayed by 15 days.
The weather office said monsoon will take a few more days to cover the entire state. Meteorologist Manorama Mohanty told DNA that the progress of monsoon in the state will depend on its progress in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.
"We have officially declared the onset of monsoon in the state. As of now, the northern limit of monsoon is passing through Veraval, Surat, Indore, Mandla, Pendra, Sultanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Mukteshwar," she said. Mohanty added that conditions are favourable for the further northerly movement of monsoon.
The weather office has predicted light to moderate showers, with heavy rainfall at a few places, across the state during the next 48 hours, along with cloudy sky conditions, which would keep the mercury under check. The rainfall is expected under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over Gujarat region and adjoining areas of west Madhya Pradesh, which was lying over south Gujarat region on Monday. Due to the system, heavy rainfall is also expected at isolated places in the north Gujarat such as Panchmahals, Dahod, Chhota Udepur.
Meanwhile, cloudy sky conditions and light rainfall is also expected in Ahmedabad and adjoining areas during the next 48 hours. Also, cloudy sky conditions will continue to prevail in the city for the remainder of the week. However, the chances of rainfall will be less. The Met office has predicted that the maximum temperature in the city is likely to be around 34-36 degrees Celsius till July 1, whereas the minimum temperature is expected to be around 24-25 degrees Celsius.
As far as rainfall in the state on Tuesday is concerned, 132 talukas across 30 districts recorded rainfall. Till 6 pm, the highest rainfall of 90 mm was recorded in Mendarda taluka of Junagadh.
Max Temp to remain under 360C till July 1