Will elusive monsoon bless city today?

The overcast sky on Monday brought hopes of rain promising Amdavadis relief from the heat. But the monsoon failed to debut in the city.  Yet, all is not lost, for, if fresh forecast by the meteorological department in Gujarat is anything to go by, Ahmedabad may get light rain towards the evening or possibly in the night. The forecast further said that the southwest monsoon has advanced in the entire Arabian Sea and remaining parts of Gujarat state.

On Monday, it seemed the monsoon was all set to arrive in the city as dark clouds gathered in the sky. The rise in humidity and a drop in maximum temperature to 37.9 degree Celsius also gave hope. The minimum temperature was 28.9 degree Celsius. But in the end it came to naught.  Commenting on the weather, Shantaben Modi, a resident of Gandhinagar said the rising humidity has got on her nerves and with the rain playing truant the situation has worsened further.

"Vegetables already cost us a bomb. I am worried about further rise in vegetable prices if the rain is delayed," said Modi. Another citizen of eastern Ahmedabad, Pinky Soni, said she is eagerly awaiting the monsoon. "We are fed up of the dual season and killer heat that has been prevalent for the last couple of months. Nights are cold and days are unbearably humid. We hope the rains will soon put in an appearance," said Soni.

Further forecast by the met department for the state said rain or thundershowers are likely to occur in a few places in districts of South Gujarat, Saurashtra, Diu, Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli.  Also rain or thundershowers are expected at isolated places in all districts of North Gujarat region and in Kutch.