On a rainy Wednesday, Gujarat faced severe weather conditions that turned tragic when lightning strikes killed two people. The incidents happened in Junagadh and Porbandar districts as heavy rain lashed the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) quickly responded by issuing a red alert for Devbhoomi Dwarka the following day, urging people to stay cautious about dangerous weather.
Because of the downpour, hundreds of residents had to leave low-lying areas. In Junagadh, about 600 people moved to safer places, while in Porbandar, 50 families shifted under official guidance. Authorities acted swiftly as rivers overflowed, creating new risks for nearby communities. Within just 24 hours, parts of the state saw intense downpours: Mendarda received 331 mm of rainfall, Keshod 278 mm, Vanthali 258 mm, and Porbandar 250 mm. Furthermore, Navsari and Valsad also suffered heavily.
Sadly, the storm claimed lives. Lightning struck Anjuben, a migrant worker from Madhya Pradesh, in Amar village of Porbandar, and she died instantly. In Junagadh’s Samega village, another strike killed 25-year-old Akshay Kanubhai Maru. Although these two incidents shocked locals, officials confirmed no other rain-related deaths.
The rainfall also disrupted daily life across multiple districts. Authorities closed about 60 rural roads and halted 15 bus routes. Moreover, schools, colleges, and anganwadis in Keshod, Manavadar, Vantahli, and Mendarda talukas suspended classes. Junagadh Collector Anil Ranavasiya stressed that these steps were necessary to protect residents.
Alongside the red alert for Devbhoomi Dwarka, the IMD also warned Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Amreli, and Bhavnagar. In Porbandar, District Collector S. D. Dhanani confirmed that they had relocated families and blocked eleven panchayat roads to prevent accidents. At the same time, authorities closely tracked water levels in reservoirs. The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River held 77.88% of its full capacity, storing 26,0174 MCFT of water. Furthermore, officials placed 64 dams on “high alert,” kept 29 on “alert,” and issued “warnings” for 21 others.
Across the state, seasonal rainfall reached 71.31% of the average. Specifically, Kutch recorded 75%, South Gujarat more than 73%, North Gujarat 72%, Central-East Gujarat 69.92%, and the Saurashtra region 69.06%. While this rain benefits agriculture, its intensity has caused hardship for many communities.
Authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation carefully. Therefore, they advise people to follow safety guidelines and stay updated with official warnings. As Gujarat endures heavy rainfall and its aftermath, leaders emphasize both saving lives and reducing damage.
