Gujarat Samachar: Monsoon Rain, IMD Alerts and Traffic Disruptions in September 2026

Gujarat samachar this week is dominated by monsoon activity. Heavy rain with thunderstorms lashed Ahmedabad on 18 September 2026, prompting red and yellow alerts, underpass closures and waterlogging that disrupted commutes. The India Meteorological Department indicates light to moderate showers will continue in the state until 24 September 2026, with the deep trough that drove the heaviest spells weakening.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Ahmedabad on 18 September

From around 10 a.m. on 18 September 2026, Bodakdev, Vastrapur, Gota and the SG Highway in Ahmedabad saw heavy rain with thunderstorms. Sandesh reported that by 10 a.m. a red alert for heavy rain was issued for five districts with the possibility of more than 15 mm per hour.

The city administration responded to the inflow. Underpasses at Parimal, Shahibag, Akbar Nagar and Makra were closed for vehicular traffic and 14 gates of the Vasna barrage were opened to manage excess water, according to Sandesh.

Rain also affected Surat, Kutch and Gandhinagar. In Kutch’s Rapar area about two inches fell in an hour, flooding roads and causing river-like flows in Badergarh, Lodrani and surrounding villages.

Weather alerts and forecast until 24 September

The IMD outlook published on 18 September 2026 says light to moderate rain spells are likely across Gujarat until 24 September 2026. The deep trough active over the state is now weakening, reducing the chance of further very heavy rain.

Alerts in place on 18 September included orange alert for Chhotaudepur and Dahod districts, and yellow alert for Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Bharuch, Mahisagar, Panchmahal and Vadodara, as reported in the ABP Live photo-gallery.

For Ahmedabad the yellow alert indicated a likely 7 cm to 11 cm rainfall band, with a risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas. The state has recorded about 8% deficit rain so far in the monsoon season, with Saurashtra-Kutch about 23% below normal. The forecast of continued light to moderate showers is expected to narrow the deficit.

Impact on traffic and daily life

BBC Gujarati coverage on 19 September 2026 highlighted how a relatively small amount of rain created a big disruption. Early morning downpours led to heavy waterlogging in Thaltej and other areas, with office-goers and school children stuck in traffic jams for hours under bridges and on roads.

Commuters expressed frustration with drainage and traffic management, noting the problem recurs each monsoon. The BBC Gujarati video described the situation on the morning of 19 September after the 18 September spell.

Forecasts remain subject to change as monsoon systems evolve. Residents are advised to monitor official IMD updates for the latest alerts and avoid non-essential travel during thunderstorm warnings.