Travel And Safety Advisory Issued For Rajasthan And Gujarat Amid Heavy Rains

A deep depression has intensified over East Rajasthan, causing significant weather developments across several regions. This weather system, which initially formed over northwest Madhya Pradesh and surrounding areas, has moved west-southwestward, affecting large parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), of 08:30 IST on August 26th, 2024, the depression was centered near latitude 24.1°N and longitude 74.0°E. This position places the system approximately 60 km south-southeast of Udaipur in East Rajasthan, 180 km east of Deesa in Gujarat, and 180 km northeast of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

Given the severe weather conditions and the potential for significant rainfall, residents and travelers in the affected regions are advised to take necessary precautions. Those in flood-prone areas should remain vigilant and consider evacuation if necessary. It is also recommended to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in areas where transportation services are disrupted. Fishermen and small ships operating in the northeast Arabian Sea and along the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts should avoid venturing out until the weather system passes.

Disruptions in Transport

The severe weather conditions have already begun to impact transportation, particularly the rail network and air travel:

Western Railway has announced the cancellation of several MEMU special trains between Khambhat and Anand scheduled for August 26th, 2024. Additionally, heavy rains and waterlogging at Bajva Station in the Vadodara Division have caused further disruptions. The Vadodara-Jamnagar Intercity Express and Vadodara-Ahmedabad Intercity Express on August 26th, 2024, will be short-originated from Ranoli station. The Ahmedabad-Vadodara Intercity Express on the same day will be short-terminated at Ranoli station, affecting travel plans for many passengers.

IndiGo, a major airline, has issued a travel advisory warning of potential delays and disruptions in flight operations due to heavy rains. The affected cities include Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Hirasar, Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Diu. Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and remain updated on any changes.

Movement and Predicted Path

The deep depression is to continue its slow movement towards the west-southwest. It is likely to traverse through southern Rajasthan and the Gujarat region over the next few days. By the morning of August 29th, it is predicted to reach theaurashtra & Kutch regions as well as adjoining areas of Pakistan and the northeast Arabian Sea. This path indicates that the weather system will impact a area bringing with it substantial rainfall and potentially severe weather conditions.

Rainfall Forecast

The depression is anticipated to bring heavy rainfall across several states with varying intensities on the region:

The authorities are closely monitoring the situation providing updates as necessary while this depression continues its movement across these regions.