Asna Cyclone Live Tracking: IMD Issues Warning As Gujarat Floods Continue To Ravage Villages

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that "Cyclone Asna" will continue its west-northwestward movement over the northeast Arabian Sea, steering away from the Indian coast over the next two days. Despite a reduction in rainfall across most of Gujarat, numerous towns and villages remain waterlogged due to swollen rivers, as per officials cited by news agency ANI.

On Friday, IMD warned that the deep depression causing heavy rains and floods in Gujarat has intensified into "Cyclone Asna" near Kutch and adjacent areas of Pakistan. This is the first cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea in August since 1976, with Pakistan naming it "Asna." The cyclone is expected to move further away from the Indian coast over the next two days.

Impact on Local Areas

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him on Thursday morning to discuss the flood situation and ongoing relief efforts. Following IMD's cyclonic storm warning, Kutch collector Amit Arora urged residents of Abdasa, Mandvi, and Lakhpat talukas to vacate their huts and kutcha houses and seek shelter in schools or other buildings until Friday evening.

IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav stated that Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar might experience light to moderate rainfall today. Meanwhile, Kutch received heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours. Since June 1, Gujarat has recorded 882 mm of rainfall.

Rescue Operations

Six columns of the Indian Army are conducting rescue operations in severely affected areas. Additionally, a team of 350 sanitation workers from Surat has been deployed to Vadodara to assist with post-flood cleaning efforts. Vadodara is gradually returning to normal as water levels from the Vishwamitri river recede from 37 feet to 32 feet.

Rain-related incidents have led to 26 deaths in Gujarat over the past four days. More than 18,000 people have been relocated, and approximately 1,200 individuals have been rescued from flood-affected regions. In some cases, security forces used helicopters for evacuations to safer locations.

Flooded Districts

Kheda district experienced no rainfall; however, overflow from the Shedhi river inundated parts of Kheda town and around 20 nearby villages. Main roads and markets remained submerged under about a foot of water. Devbhumi Dwarka district saw extremely heavy rainfall over the last two days, leaving many areas in Dwarka, Okha, and Jam Raval town still underwater.

Bharuch collector Tushar Sumera reported that around ten villages in Jambusar and Amod talukas have been flooded since Thursday after water from the Dhadhar river entered these areas.

An Indian Coast Guard ship successfully towed boat 'Padmawati’ to safety after it drifted into rough seas off Dwarka's coast due to adverse weather conditions.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) noted that despite no recent rainfall in some districts like Kheda, flooding persists due to overflowing rivers affecting several towns and villages.

The situation remains critical as authorities continue their efforts to provide relief and ensure safety for those impacted by Cyclone Asna's aftermath.