Ahmedabad: Gujarat is facing severe floods due to heavy rains for the last one week. In just four days, 32 people lost their lives in rain-related accidents.
More than 1200 people were rescued, while over 18,000 residents were evacuated from the flooded areas and taken to safer places.
What caused extreme flooding in Gujarat?
The recent floods in Gujarat were caused by a weather phenomenon known as a deep depression. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression occurs when wind speeds reach 17 to 33 knots (31 to 61 km/h) due to cyclonic disturbances.
When the wind speed increases to between 28 knots (50 km/h) and 33 knots (61 km/h), it is termed a deep depression. This system led to extensive rainfall and flooding across Gujarat.
Impact of deep depression in Gujarat
The deep depression led to severe weather conditions across Gujarat. East-Central Gujarat recorded over 105% of its average rainfall, while North Gujarat saw an average increase of 87%. The most affected areas were Kutch, with 177% of average rainfall, Saurashtra with 124%, and South Gujarat with 111%.
The deep depression, which moved very slowly over Gujarat, drew significant moisture from the Arabian Sea, leading to the heavy rains.
This is how Cyclone Asna moved towards Pakistan
Initially, the deep depression was expected to develop into a cyclone named Asna. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that Cyclone Asna would hit Gujarat’s coast on August 31.
However, the cyclone has since shifted direction and is now moving towards Pakistan, with its effects still noticeable in Saurashtra and Kutch. The cyclone, with wind speeds ranging from 63 km/h to 87 km/h, has been downgraded in terms of its immediate threat to Gujarat.
Cyclone Asna – First cyclonic storm in Arabian Sea in August after 1976
Cyclone Asna is the first cyclone to form in the Arabian Sea in August since 1976. Historical records indicate that only three cyclones have formed in August between 1891 and 2023: in 1944, 1964, and 1976. The 1944 cyclone originated in the Arabian Sea, the 1964 cyclone briefly affected South Gujarat, and the 1976 cyclone began near Odisha and weakened in the Arabian Sea.