Ahmedabad: Several parts of Gujarat received heavy rains on Friday amid the advance of the southwest monsoon, triggering waterlogging as well as flooding, which threw normal life out of gear.

The India Meteorological Department, in its latest bulletin, said the monsoon has advanced further into the north Arabian Sea and Gujarat, and conditions remained favourable for its further advance into some more parts.

The IMD has forecast isolated very heavy to extremely heavy rain during July 3-6, isolated heavy to very heavy rain during July 6-8, and isolated heavy rain on July 9 in parts of state.

As many as 26 talukas in the state received over 100 mm rains in 14 hours till 8 pm on Friday, with 15 receiving over 200 mm rains, especially in Junagadh, Tapi, Navsari, Dangs and Gir Somnath districts, State Emergency Operation Centre data showed.

Junagadh, Dangs and Surat districts were battered by heavy rains, with Mangrol and Malia Hatina receiving 498 and 355 mm rains, respectively, in 14 hours till 8 pm, as per SEOC data.

Heavy rains caused flooding of Meghal river in Maliya Hatina, inundating low-lying areas of nearby villages, while vehicles were stuck due to flooding of roads in several parts of Saurashtra, causing massive inconvenience to commuters.

A state highway in Navsari district was waterlogged, and houses in low-lying areas were affected in Vansda, Chikhli and Gandevi talukas due to heavy rains during the day.

Amid heavy rains, signals advising fishermen to not venture into the Arabian Sea were put up at several ports due to the possibility of strong winds and high waves.

Several parts of Veraval and Prabhas Patan towns of Gir Somnath district witnessed heavy rains, with water entering shops and houses in low-lying areas.

The state has so far received 8.46 per cent of average rainfall, with south Gujarat and Saurashtra districts receiving the highest amount.

Water in 206 reservoirs is at 36 per cent of total capacity, with two of them put on high alert after heavy rains, officials said. PTI