Unseasonal Rains Lash Surat, Disrupt Life Across South Gujarat

Surat, Gujarat — Before the official onset of the southwest monsoon, unseasonal heavy rains lashed the diamond city of Surat and various parts of South Gujarat on Wednesday, plunging daily life into chaos. Accompanied by gusty winds and lightning, the unexpected downpour waterlogged streets, disrupted traffic, and caused power outages in several localities.

Heavy rains battered areas like Adajan, Pal, Rander, and Athwalines in Surat since early morning, catching residents off guard. Office-goers and schoolchildren struggled to navigate flooded roads, while vendors and shopkeepers scrambled to protect their goods from the sudden showers.

“This kind of rain in May is highly unusual,” said Harshad Patel, a resident of Adajan. “My children had to return from school because the road outside was completely flooded. We haven’t seen this kind of weather before the monsoon in years.”

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the wet spell to two active weather systems—one over Rajasthan and another cyclonic circulation in the Arabian Sea. A low-pressure system is likely to form around May 22, intensifying rainfall across the state. The department has predicted scattered to heavy rainfall in Gujarat for the next seven days, affecting 21 districts including Surat, Navsari, Valsad, and Bhavnagar.

“The rainfall was sudden and intense. Visibility dropped, and winds uprooted a few trees near Pal area,” said Suresh Chauhan, an auto driver in the city. “The roads are slippery, and accidents are more likely. Authorities should be alert.”

In Rander and Pal, electricity supply was temporarily halted due to safety concerns. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) reported receiving numerous complaints regarding clogged drains and water stagnation. Civic teams have been deployed across the city to monitor and respond to emergencies.

The timing of the rains—just days before the scheduled arrival of the monsoon in Kerala—has prompted discussions among weather experts. “Two weather systems are enhancing moisture flow in Gujarat, which is why such intense rainfall is being observed despite the monsoon being days away,” an IMD official said.

Looking ahead, rainfall is expected to increase across Saurashtra and Kutch from tomorrow. The IMD has advised citizens to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Farmers, meanwhile, have been warned not to begin sowing activities prematurely, as this rain spell is not the actual onset of the monsoon.

Despite the inconvenience, some locals found a silver lining in the surprise downpour. “The temperature had risen sharply this week. At least the rain has brought some relief from the heat,” said Binal Desai, a college student from Athwalines.

However, with weather models predicting a good monsoon for Gujarat this year, authorities are being urged to ensure that urban infrastructure is prepared to withstand heavy rains in the months ahead.