TNN, Jun 2, 2010, 04.58am IST
AHMEDABAD/RAJKOT: Gales blowing at a speed of 55 kmph and thunderstorm claimed two lives and injured seven in Rajkot district on Tuesday night, even as met department issued an alert for a cyclone storm, christened Phet, that may hit the state's coast in the next 48 hours.
The hot and sultry weather underwent a dramatic change in several parts of the state, including Ahmedabad, which also witnessed lightening.
A deep depression over Arabian sea which has intensified into a cyclone storm will be preceded by stormy weather in next 24 hours, according to the met department.
Director, IMD, Gujarat, Kamaljit Ray said, "The depression over Arabian Sea moved north-westwards and lay centred about 1,030 km south-west of Naliya in Gujarat on Tuesday".
Under the system's influence, widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall will be experienced on Gujarat coast from June 3 while stormy winds with speed reaching 55-65 kmph will commence off the coast from June 2 and increase gradually, a communiqué said. Meanwhile, those who died have been identified as Sanjay Baraiyya, 15, who was struck by lightening while working in an open field in Khakana village on the outskirts of Rajkot city. A woman working with him sustained severe injuries.
In Pipaliya village of Wankaner town of Rajkot district, a compound wall crashed due to windy weather, killing a woman identified as Guddiben on the spot. Six persons were also crushed under the debris and injured.