Rains sweeps Gujarat

The Fire Brigade reported four tree-uprootings near the Lal Baug Railway Crossing, opposite Popular Bread, near Waghriwad in Warasia, and near Mother School in Gotri. In each incident, the tree collapsed on electric wires stretched between poles.

Two cases of short-circuits were reported opposite Punjabi Hotel and in the Munshi Lane near Mangal Bazaar.

No one was injured. Power supply in a widespread areas was erratic for about three hours, and quite a few incidents of power failures were also reported.

While the downside affected a handful, the rains brought relief for the majority of Vadodara8217;s residents. The first droplets aroused incredulity and wonder, soon to be replaced by sheet delight as the drops grew larger and larger and showed no signs of letting up. People enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon were suddenly galvanised into activity, making a beeline for terraces and balconies to feel the cold sting of rainwater.

In the streets, handkerchiefs used to mop up sweat made way for windshield-wipers; conversation broke out spontaneously between strangers and urchins had the time of their lives in the water that began accumulating in the gutters soon after the clouds burst.

Like the SSC results, the rains came early this year. Enthusiastic reporters calling up the Fire Brigade8217;s rain office learnt that the office was yet to open for the 1998 monsoons. Unprotected seats of two-wheelers parked in the rain soaked up the moisture, forcing their owners to spend an uncomfortable day, thanks to the wet patch on the seat.

In South Gujarat, too, Valsad, Vapi, Palan, Daman and Dharampur experienced overcast skies and sudden bouts of rain in the past 24 hours, add reports from Surat. Though there was no rainfall in Surat, the skies were heavy with promise on Sunday evening.

Strong winds began blowing into Valsad on Saturday evening, leading to sharp rains in a number of places in the western part of the district, including Daman and Silvassa. Thunderstorms blew away a number of roofs at Dharampur and Kaprada and uprooted several trees. Silvassa received the most rainfall in the past 24 hours, the met office said.

A late night message from the flood control room at Valsad district said that while Dharampur, Kaprada and adjoining areas received about an inch of rainfall, Silvassa received about two inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

The flood control room further stated that more places in the region are likely to receive rain, accompanied by thunder, on Monday.

No loss of life has been reported from any place in the region.