Monsoon arrives in Gujarat, poised to progress

Ahmedabad: Southwest monsoon has arrived in Gujarat, about a week behind its usual June 15 onset date.Conditions, however, are favourable for the monsoon’s progress in the state over the next two to three days, said Met department officials.Gujarat currently has two weather systems in the form of troughs, one from the southeastern Rajasthan to the east-central Arabian Sea, and another from the southeastern parts of Madhya Pradesh to the east-central Arabian Sea, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).Till 8pm on Wednesday, 11 talukas — mostly in South Gujarat — received 1mm or more of rainfall, with Sagbara in Narmada receiving 85mm.The maximum temperature in Ahmedabad was 40.4 degrees celsius on Wednesday, 2.5 degrees above normal.At 29.2 degrees, the minimum temperature was 1.6 degrees above normal. At 62%, relative humidity was high at 8.30am, reducing to 33% at 5.30pm.The city was partly cloudy through the day.IMD forecast for Gujarat indicates a chance of light to moderate rainfall over the next few days, with no major change in maximum temperatures.Ahmedabad was the hottest place in the state, followed by Vallabh Vidyanagar (40.3 degrees) and Rajkot (39.6 degrees).==BOXRain GaugeTaluka District Rainfall (mm)Sagbara Narmada 85Subir Dang 54Dang Dang 46Vaghai Dang 20Uchchal Tapi 14Till 8pm on June 24; Source: State Emergency Operations Centre