As torrential rains continue to pummel south Gujarat,approximately 1,200 individuals have been rescued from flood-affected areas, prompting urgent reviews of the situation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The relentless downpour has claimed at least one life in Tapi district, raising alarms as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF),State Disaster Response Force (SDRF),and the Indian Air Force (IAF) remain on high alert to assist in rescue operations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Valsad, Navsari,Dang,Surat, and Tapi districts,forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday. Valsad has emerged as the most severely impacted area,with Umbergaon taluka recording over 1,100 mm of rain within just 16 hours, from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m . Thursday. Other talukas in the district also experienced significant rainfall, exceeding 600 mm.
In response to the flooding,essential services have been severely disrupted. More than 300 roads have been temporarily closed, and over 200 bus services operated by Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation have been affected . Power outages have been reported across various locations,further complicating the situation.
Rescue efforts are underway in Surat, where fire department personnel have utilized boats to evacuate residents trapped in inundated neighborhoods. At least 40 individuals from the Pandesara area have been relocated to safety. Heavy rainfall has also impacted other talukas, including Umarpada,Ambika,Palsana, and Mahuva, with Surat Collector Tejas Parmar noting particularly high rainfall levels in Umarpada,Bardoli,Mahuva, and Kamrej .
Ahmedabad city has not been spared,experiencing flooding that has forced the closure of several underpasses and disrupted traffic flow. Rail services have also been impacted, with numerous Mumbai-bound trains canceled or short-terminated due to rising water levels along the tracks.
In Narmada district,heavy rains have isolated several villages in the Dediapada and Sagbara talukas, cutting off road connectivity. The Bharaj River diversion was washed away, exacerbating challenges faced by local authorities.
As situation unfolds, relief operations are in full swing. Earlier today, Chief Minister Patel visited the State Emergency Operation Centre in Gandhinagar to assess ongoing crisis. He communicated with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured the state government of comprehensive support for rescue and relief efforts.
Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana confirmed that NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed across the affected districts, with additional personnel mobilized in response to the increasing rainfall intensity. The IAF and Coast Guard are also on standby, prepared to airlift individuals if necessary once weather conditions improve.
In Surat, nearly 1,500 residents have been moved to safer locations,while around 200 people stranded in 11 villages of Navsari due to the swollen Kaveri River have been rescued. Senior officials,including district Collectors and mamlatdars, are stationed in the affected areas to oversee the relief operations.
Currently,Surat has two NDRF and five SDRF teams deployed, while Valsad is supported by two NDRF and four SDRF teams. Additional NDRF teams are being mobilized for Navsari,with SDRF and NDRF teams on standby in Amreli, Junagadh, and Bhavnagar. Chief Minister Patel has directed the Collectors of Surat and Navsari to evacuate residents from low-lying and waterlogged areas,emphasizing the need for swift action as the situation evolves.
