VADODARA, July 19: After days of cloudy weather, the city finally experienced rainfall on Monday. The rain - a steady drizzle, interspersed with short, sharp showers - continued throughout the day, disrupting life in the city. More rain has been forecast in several parts of Central Gujarat during the next 48 hours, officials said.Streets, lanes, thoroughfares as well as roads in the low-laying areas remained partially waterlogged, especially within the walled city, affecting movement of vehicles. However, rail, highway and air traffic was not affected, officials concerned said.Schoolchildren, office-goers and the general public in the markets were seen with umbrellas or wrapped in raincoats. Indeed, the public markets and shopping complexes usually crowded wore a near-deserted look.As forecast, more than 64 mm rain was recorded in the Vadodara city and taluka during the past 24 hours, of which only about 4 mm rain was recorded in city between 8 am and 6 pm. Though it led to people being drenched, the rainfall was meagre in amount. According to experts, it would take several inches of rain - there are 25 mm in an inch - over a short span of time to actually flood a narrow lane or a low-lying area given average drainage conditions.Meanwhile, sources in the Narmada Bachao Andolan said the river level in the Hapeshwar area was at the 92-metre mark. District control room flatly denied it.
