On Holi, Gujarat reels under wet weather

RAJKOT/SURAT/VADODARA: Scores of people scampered to throw a protective shield around the pious Holika dahan pyre on Monday evening as unseasonal rain accompanied by gusty winds and hail lashed several parts of the state.
Heavy rain was reported in parts of Rajkot, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts, light to moderate showers soaked many other places.
Strong winds and thunderstorms lashed Rajkot city with commuters stranded on 150 feet Road, Yagnik Road, Jawahar Chowk and Kalawad Road.
In Amreli, rain and hailstorm lashed parts of Dhari, Savarkundla, Damnagar, and Lathi talukas, triggering serious concern among mango growers in the region.
In Surat, the fire and emergency services received 12 complaints of trees getting uprooted due to winds and rain. A toddy palm tree caught fire after being struck by lightning in the Kosad area on the city’s outskirts. A team of SFES reached the spot and controlled the fire before it spread to nearby areas.
Medium to low showers were reported in parts of the city, district, Dang, rural areas of Navsari and Valsad districts.
The union terroritory of Daman, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli also reeled under incelement weather. Ahwa, the headquarter of Dang district, is hosting the Dang Darbar that culminated with rain on Monday.
In central Gujarat, heavy winds threw up clouds of dust in several towns and villages while light to moderate rain was reported at isolated places in the region. According to sources, incidents of trees collapse was reported at five places in the city. At Padmavati Complex near Nyay Mandir, a tree fell on three two-wheelers damaging them badly. Similarly, a car was damaged near Genda Circle in the Alkapuri area.
Trees also got uprooted in the Waghodia Road, Makarpura, and Rajmahal Road areas. At several places, temporary advertising boards erected on bamboo sticks came off due to heavy winds.
Dahod, Mahisagar and Panchmahal districts also witnessed heavy winds. Some locations in Mahisagar had witnessed minor rains on Saturday.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin stated that the unseasonal rain was a result of a western disturbance and induced cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and neighbourhood.
The bulletin stated that light to moderate rainfall is expected in several districts across the state till March 9.