Gandhinagar: Torrential rains continued to lash large parts of south Gujarat, triggering widespread flooding and massive rescue operations across the region. Officials said around 1,200 stranded people have been rescued, while more than 22,000 residents have been shifted to safer locations after incessant rainfall battered districts including Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Tapi and Dangs.
Among the worst-hit areas, Umbergaon taluka in Valsad district recorded an astonishing 1,200 mm of rainfall in just 36 hours, making it one of the highest rainfall figures reported during the current monsoon spell.
Valsad and Navsari Bear the Brunt
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar, Umbergaon received over 1,200 mm of rainfall between 6 am on Wednesday and 6 pm on Thursday.
Persistent downpours inundated low-lying areas, submerged roads and villages, and severely disrupted daily life across south Gujarat.
Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana said more than 12,000 people have been evacuated to safer places in Valsad, while over 10,000 residents have been relocated in neighbouring Navsari district.
“So far, more than 12,000 people have been taken to safer places in Valsad and over 10,000 in Navsari. More than 50 people have been rescued in Navsari district who were stranded at different places, and over 200 in Valsad,” Makwana told reporters.
He added that around 1,200 people were rescued from Umbergaon taluka alone.
Massive Rescue Operations Underway
The state government has deployed multiple agencies to tackle the flood situation.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been stationed across the affected districts. Additionally, two Army columns have been deployed in Valsad and Navsari to support rescue and relief operations.
Makwana said rescue teams continue to face challenges due to extensive flooding.
“Two Army columns have been deployed in Valsad and Navsari. Rescue operations will continue till late night. Due to heavy rains, many areas have been flooded and teams of NDRF and SDRF are finding it difficult to access them,” he said.
Authorities have also deployed boats to rescue stranded residents from waterlogged areas.
Currently, three NDRF teams and two SDRF teams are operating in Valsad, while four additional NDRF teams are being airlifted from Odisha for deployment in Valsad and Navsari.
Schools, Colleges Closed Amid Red Alert
Considering the continuing heavy rainfall forecast, the Gujarat government has ordered the closure of schools and colleges in all districts under red and orange weather alerts on Friday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Dangs, Narmada, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal and Dahod, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
An orange alert has been issued for Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Sabarkantha, Anand and Kheda districts.
Rivers Overflow, Roads and Rail Services Hit
All major rivers flowing through Valsad, Navsari and Surat are in spate, flooding nearby villages and low-lying regions.
In Navsari district, Chikhli taluka recorded 800 mm, while Khergam received 650 mm of rainfall over the same 36-hour period.
Elsewhere, Dholka taluka in Ahmedabad recorded 339 mm of rainfall within 12 hours, while Ahmedabad city itself received more than 225 mm, leading to severe waterlogging and long traffic snarls across several areas.
The districts of Tapi and Dangs also witnessed intense rainfall, with 23 talukas recording over 200 mm in just 12 hours.
Officials said more than 1,200 roads have been closed due to flooding, including four National Highways, three State Highways, and hundreds of panchayat roads.
Heavy rainfall has also affected railway operations, with several Mumbai-bound trains either cancelled or short-terminated due to rising water levels along railway tracks in south Gujarat. Western Railway has established a help desk to assist affected passengers.
Several villages in Dediapada and Sagbara talukas of Narmada district have also been cut off from the rest of the state.
Power Supply Disrupted
The heavy downpour has also disrupted electricity supply across several parts of south Gujarat.
Makwana said more than 35 power substations have become non-functional, plunging many areas into darkness.
PM Modi, Amit Shah Assure Full Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to review the flood situation and assured all possible assistance from the Centre.
Cabinet Minister Jitu Vaghani said the Prime Minister personally enquired about the ongoing rescue operations despite his busy schedule.
“Despite being busy, PM Modi took stock of heavy rains in Gujarat from the CM and offered help from the Centre. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Patel on the phone and said NDRF teams will be sent as per requirements,” Vaghani said.
Chief Minister Patel is continuously monitoring the evolving situation and remains in regular contact with district administrations and disaster management authorities.
Meanwhile, Surat Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan said nearly 2,200 people have been shifted from vulnerable low-lying areas to relief shelters, with SDRF, NDRF and local fire department teams carrying out evacuation operations using boats.
South Gujarat Receives Majority of Seasonal Rainfall
According to SEOC data, south Gujarat has already received more than 62 per cent of its average seasonal rainfall, even as several other regions of the state continue to experience a rainfall deficit.
Overall, Gujarat has so far received around 36 per cent of its average annual monsoon rainfall.