Tuesday, August 27, 2024 A deep depression has significantly intensified over East Rajasthan, sparking widespread weather disruptions in several areas. Originally forming over northwest Madhya Pradesh and its surrounding regions, the system has moved in a west-southwest direction, now impacting extensive parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) update at 08:30 IST on August 26, 2024, the depression’s center was located near latitude 24.
1°N and longitude 74.0°E. This puts the system about 60 km south-southeast of Udaipur in East Rajasthan, 180 km east of Deesa in Gujarat, and 180 km northeast of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
In light of the severe weather conditions and the likelihood of heavy rainfall, authorities have urged residents and travelers in the affected areas to exercise caution. People in flood-prone regions are advised to remain alert and be prepared to evacuate if the situation escalates. It is also recommended to limit travel to essential trips only, especially in areas where transportation may be disrupted.
Additionally, fishermen and small boats operating in the northeast Arabian Sea, as well as along the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts, should stay ashore until the weather system clears. The adverse weather has already started to disrupt transportation, particularly affecting the rail network and air travel. Western Railway has canceled several MEMU special trains between Khambhat and Anand scheduled for August 26, 2024.
Furthermore, heavy rainfall and waterlogging at Bajva Station in the Vadodara Division have caused additional disruptions. Consequently, the Vadodara-Jamnagar Intercity Express and Vadodara-Ahmedabad Intercity Express scheduled for the same day will now start from Ranoli station, while the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Intercity Express will end at Ranoli station, affecting numerous passengers’ travel plans. IndiGo, a prominent airline, has issued a travel advisory regarding potential delays and flight disruptions due to the heavy rains.
Cities expected to be affected include Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Hirasar, Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Diu. Passengers are advised to monitor their flight status regularly and stay informed about any changes. The deep depression is expected to continue its gradual movement towards the west-southwest, crossing southern Rajasthan and the Gujarat region over the coming days.
By the morning of August 29, it is forecasted to approach the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, as well as adjoining areas of Pakistan and the northeast Arabian Sea. This projected path suggests that the weather system will affect a vast area, bringing heavy rainfall and potentially severe weather conditions. Heavy rainfall is expected across multiple states, with varying intensities anticipated throughout the region due to the approaching depression: August 26th, 2024: August 27th, 2024: August 28th, 2024: August 29th, 2024: August 30th, 2024:.
