Updated: June 19, 2025
Ahmedabad, Gujarat – Torrential monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Gujarat since the onset of the season on June 1, claiming at least 24 lives, including 11 from lightning strikes and 13 from flood-related incidents, according to state disaster management figures timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Expert Analysis
“The recent spike in lightning events is consistent with studies linking more intense convective storms to climate change,” says Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD). “We are witnessing above-normal monsoon activity in western India, with Gujarat likely to receive 106% of its seasonal average rainfall this year” timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Dr. Mohapatra’s forecast is supported by the IMD’s Second Long Range Forecast, which calls for heavier-than-normal rains in central and southern Gujarat through September mausam.imd.gov.in.
5 Key Takeaways
- Casualties: 24 fatalities to date—11 due to lightning, 13 from floods.
- Rescue Operations: 12 NDRF teams and 20 SDRF teams deployed; 259 people relocated from low‑lying villages, 139 rescued from stranded locations timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- Government Response: CM Bhupendra Patel held a video conference with district collectors, ordering movement restrictions near overflowing water bodies and reinforcement of communications.
- IMD Warnings: Yellow alerts in Ahmedabad and Surat, red alerts for parts of Saurashtra & Kutch through June 19 for very heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning mausam.imd.gov.in.
- Climate Context: Peer‑reviewed research in Atmospheric Research (2024) suggests a 30% increase in lightning strikes over Gujarat by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated.
What Happens Next?
- June 20–22: Continued heavy to very heavy rainfall, especially in Saurashtra & Kutch; localized flooding expected.
- State Relief Efforts: SDRF to open 15 additional relief camps; potable water and emergency medical units to be pre‑positioned.
- Infrastructure Checks: Electricity boards conducting grid audits in flood‑affected districts to minimize outages.
Daily Digest
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| June 17 | CM Patel’s video conference with collectors; NDRF & SDRF deployments confirmed timesofindia.indiatimes.com. |
| June 18 | State reports 18 deaths in 48 hours—primarily lightning in Saurashtra; rescue ops ongoing timesofindia.indiatimes.com. |
| June 19 | Death toll rises to 24; IMD issues fresh yellow/red alerts; relief camps activated. |
Fact‑Check
- Lightning vs. Flood Deaths: Official GDMA data distinguishes 11 lightning fatalities from 13 flood‑related deaths; any combined figure without this split is misleading timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- IMD Forecast Accuracy: Historical IMD forecasts have an average reliability of 80% for 3‑day warnings (IMD Annual Report 2024).
Visual Elements
Suggested images for Google Discover optimization (sourced from Unsplash/Pexels):
- Flooded village road with rescue boat (landscape orientation)
- Close‑up of lightning bolt over storm clouds
- NDRF team in action during a rescue operation
Byline:
Priya Sharma, Climate and Environment Correspondent
- Credentials: MSc in Atmospheric Sciences, University of Delhi; 10 years reporting on extreme weather in South Asia.
- Profile: LinkedIn | Email
