Ahmedabad faced significant rainfall on Saturday afternoon, causing major disruptions in several areas. The localities of Nikol and Odhav were particularly affected, with 1 inch of rain falling in just one hour. This led to severe waterlogging on roads, with water levels reaching between 1.5 to 2 feet. The worst-hit area was near the Odhav fire station, where residents faced significant challenges in their daily routines.
Between 6 am and 8 pm, the city recorded an average of 10.88 mm of rainfall, bringing the total for the season to 17.18 inches. Rain began around 2 pm in eastern parts of Ahmedabad, including Nikol and Odhav. Nikol received 25 mm of rain, while Odhav recorded 16 mm within the same hour.
Despite the moderate rainfall, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) faced backlash from residents due to inadequate drainage systems. Frustrated locals shared videos on social media, highlighting the poor state of the roads and the lack of preparedness for seasonal rain.
In a separate incident around 7 pm, an artificial facade of a building collapsed near Revdi Bazaar in Kalupur, damaging an auto-rickshaw and blocking traffic. The fallen bricks created further congestion, leading to long delays for commuters.
Additionally, strong winds uprooted trees in areas such as Danapith and Dudheshwar, compounding the city’s problems. Although the rainfall was not extreme, it exposed the lack of infrastructure readiness, even during regular seasonal showers.
The situation worsened as the rain continued into the evening, affecting more areas. Localities like Vatva, Narol, and Vastral were among the hardest hit, with reports of flooding submerging roads and disrupting daily activities. In Vastral, roads near Kesar Heights Flats were underwater, reaching half the height of vehicles.
Hitesh Barot, a local BJP corporator from Thaltej ward, visited affected areas after receiving alerts. He coordinated efforts for vehicle recovery and directed municipal officials to use Varun pumps for drainage. The afternoon downpour also caused flooding at the Bopal railway underbridge, where one driver had to abandon their submerged vehicle but fortunately escaped unharmed.
As the rain continued, by 5 pm, an additional half-inch of rain fell across various localities, including Maninagar, Ramol, and Gomtipur. Low-lying areas such as Sardarnagar and Naroda saw water levels rise, leading to more waterlogging. Residents in several societies took matters into their own hands, clearing blocked drains as municipal staff were reportedly absent during the crisis.
Overall, the rainfall highlighted the need for better infrastructure and drainage systems in Ahmedabad. As residents continue to deal with the aftermath, there are calls for improvements to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
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