Seven dead in rain-related tragedies, wet spell in Saurashtra

RAJKOT: At least seven people died in rain-related incidents across the state even as the weather department officially announced the entry of monsoon in Gujarat, two days ahead of the schedule.
While four people were struck by lightning, three of a family died after their house collapsed in Morbi district.
Rains continued to lash most parts of Saurashtra on Monday, giving a major relief from heat. However, Rajkot city plunged into chaos as massive traffic jams and waterlogging were witnessed on all the main roads. Similar situation prevailed in Jamnagar city.
Meanwhile three cattle grazers were struck by lightning in Bharada village of Surendranagar district, leaving one of them dead. The deceased was identified as Bikha Bharwad (30). Two more people met a similar fate in Bhachau taluka of Kutch district when they were grazing cattle. They were identified as Babu Halepotra (28) and Saraddin Halepotra (27), both residents of Khavda.
In Morbi’s Sundaribhavani village, three of a family who had gone to their farm, died after the makeshift room under which they were taking shelter from thunderstorm, collapsed. Those who died were Vaghji Degama, his wife Raju and younger brother Sheela. They could not be rescued as nobody got to know about the incident due to heavy rain.
Constant showers also damaged crops that were lying in various marketing yards.
Rainfall was reported in the entire coastal belt including districts of Amreli, Bhavagnar, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka.
A 17-year-old boy named Amarsinh Thakor’s body was found by the roadside near Ashapur village of Patan after he died due to lightning.
Most parts of north Gujarat received sizable rainfall with Mahisagar reporting 76 mm.