1st spell of rain drowns Ahmedabad

Only two hours and two inches of rains left many parts of the city waterlogged on Friday evening. Knee-level waterlogging was reported at many locations. Areas like Vejalpur, Bodakev, SG Highway, Prahladnagar, Jodhour, Vastraour, and Naranpura experienced heavy rainfall on Friday. The pre-monsson action plan of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) seemed futile this year as well.

The city received 50.57 mm of rainfall in two hours. This season, the city has received 160.42 mm of rainfall so far. Vejalpur received the highest rainfall measuring up to 139.50 mm, followed by Bodakdev, which received 108.50 mm, Danapith (87 mm), Paldi (77 mm), Maninagar (70.50 mm), Usmanpura (60.50 mm), Viratnagar and Chakudia (59 mm) and Dudheshwar (55.50 mm) of rainfall.

The civic body has issued an advisory for the citizens, asking them to stay away from the electricity poles and open wired extentions. "We are asking people to avoid going to the waterlogged areas. Also, we are asking them to avoid commuting through underpasses, especially the ones which are waterlogged. We have deployed our teams to do the necessary work," said Mukesh Gadhvi, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, AMC.

Some of the pockets received unusual rainfall this year. Areas like Vejalpur received more than five inches of rainfall in two hours.

A big road cave-in was reported near the Jivraj crossroads where developmental work of Metro Rail is underway. The civic authority took precautionary steps and cordoned off the area.