IMD Forecasts Heavy Rainfall Across Gujarat; Orange Alerts Issued for Several Districts Including Ahmedabad

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread and intense rainfall activity across Gujarat in the first week of September, prompting yellow and orange alerts for multiple districts. The alerts signal the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions, including key urban centers like Ahmedabad.

Rainfall Forecast and Alerts

OnSeptember 1–2, heavy rainfall is expected in Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Residents in these areas should be prepared for potential waterlogging and traffic disruptions.

An orange alert has been issued for Chhota Udepur and Narmada districts on September 3, indicating a likelihood of very heavy rain. A yellow alert remains in effect for Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Dangs, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

On September 4, the IMD upgraded its forecast to an orange alert for Dang and Tapi, while maintaining yellow alerts across a wide belt of districts including Panchmahal, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, and Valsad. Parts of Saurashtra-Kutch, including Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, and Diu, are also likely to witness heavy showers.

By September 5, while the orange alerts are expected to ease, isolated heavy rainfall is still likely across Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Kheda, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, and Diu.

Ahmedabad and Surrounding Areas See Early Showers

Rainfall began affecting parts of Ahmedabad on Sunday evening, with areas such as Prahladnagar, Satellite, SG Highway, Makarba, and Vejalpur receiving moderate to heavy rain. The city is currently under a yellow alert along with several neighboring districts.

Monsoon Performance and Reservoir Status

Gujarat has received nearly 85% of its seasonal average rainfall so far, with several talukas crossing the 1,000 mm mark following an intense spell of rain over the past week. This surge has significantly improved the water storage levels across the state’s major reservoirs and river systems.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is now at approximately 84% capacity, while Gujarat’s 206 monitored reservoirs are averaging 78% full. Among them, 67 reservoirs are over 100% capacity, 27 are between 90-100%, and another 27 between 80-90%.

In key regional dams, the Dharoi Dam is storing around 82% of its total capacity, with a significant inflow of over 42,000 cusecs, while the Kadana Dam in Mahisagar district has started releasing nearly 1,00,000 cusecs, triggering alerts for downstream areas. In total, 76 dams are now filled between 70–100%, and official warnings have been issued for 26 of them, emphasizing the need for vigilant water management in the days ahead.