Ahmedabad is reeling after one of its fiercest monsoon spells in recent years, as a relentless 12-hour downpour submerged roads, flooded homes and brought traffic to a near standstill across the city. India Meteorological Department (IMD) observatory recorded 294.6 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8:30 am on Friday, while civic data showed rainfall crossed 278 mm across the city by Thursday night, with several western localities receiving more than 400 mm. As emergency teams continued pumping water out of inundated neighbourhoods, IMD warned that Ahmedabad is likely to witness further spells of heavy rain over the coming days.
How 12 hours of relentless rain pushed Ahmedabad towards another flooding crisis
Rain began around 8 am on Thursday and intensified through the day, overwhelming Ahmedabad’s stormwater drainage network. The sheer intensity of the downpour triggered flash flooding across large parts of the city. Among the worst-hit localities, Bopal emerged as the wettest, recording 467.5 mm of rainfall. Other areas that witnessed exceptionally heavy showers included Bakrol (462.5 mm), Sarkhej Urban Health (440 mm), Jodhpur (418 mm), Sarkhej (415 mm), Thaltej (408.5 mm) and Bodakdev (407 mm). The South-West Zone bore the brunt of the cloudburst, receiving the highest average rainfall across Ahmedabad.
Heavy rain disrupts flight operations at Ahmedabad Airport
The relentless rain also impacted air travel. According to airport officials, 13 flights were delayed, while services to Diu were cancelled owing to adverse weather conditions. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport as operations continued to be affected by poor visibility and heavy rainfall.
IMD forecast: More rain likely as Ahmedabad remains under monsoon watch
IMD has forecast generally cloudy skies with spells of rain and thundershowers, with heavy rainfall likely at times, over Ahmedabad and surrounding areas. Gujarat is expected to remain under the influence of an active monsoon system over the next few days, increasing the likelihood of further waterlogging, localised flooding and traffic disruptions. Authorities have urged residents to monitor official weather bulletins before travelling and avoid low-lying stretches during periods of intense rain.
