Heavy rains trigger floods in Gujarat; 15 dead, over 20,000 evacuated

Intense rainfall in the coastal state of Gujarat has caused flooding in various districts resulting in 15 fatalities and evacuation of 23,000 people.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the state till Aug 30 as heavy to extremely heavy rain has been predicted with a risk of flash floods in the region.

Heavy rains have lashed Gujarat since Aug 24 which caused waterlogging in low-lying areas. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been carrying out rescue operations as people have been displaced from homes due to the inundation.

According to an official release by the Chief Minister's office, the worst-hit districts include Valsad, Tapi, Navsari, Surat, Narmada, and Panchmahal.

As many as 14 NDRF teams and 22 SDRF (State Disaster Response Force ) teams have been deployed in affected districts who have evacuated 17,827 people and rescued 1,653 in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to get assess the situation.

“He [PM Modi] provided guidance on the protection of lives and livestock of citizens. Also, Gujarat was assured of providing all necessary support and assistance from the Central Government. The Prime Minister is constantly monitoring the situation by worrying about Gujarat," Patel wrote on X.

Meanwhile, as the level of the Vishwamitri river is continuously rising and is above 40 feet mark in many areas, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation has closed the gates of Ajwa and Pratappura reservoirs in order to reduce waterlogging in the city.

“We have an orange alert today and we will keep a watch. We were expecting the water to go down within five hours but it would ideally take about 24 hours to recede if there is no rain,” Sheetal Mistry, the Chairman of VMC said.

On Aug 27, CM Bhupendra Patel called a high-level meeting to review the relief and rescue operations.

"The Chief Minister instructed the District Collectors to take full vigilance and caution by taking the help of the police so that no one goes into the overflowed rivers, drains and lakes as a result of heavy rains. Apart from this, the Meteorological Department has specially urged the District Collectors of the coastal areas to strictly follow the warning to the fishermen not to venture into the sea," the Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X.

The state is expected to get respite from continuous rain later this week, as the deep depression hovering over the Saurashtra-Kachchh and north Gujarat regions is expected to move out of the affected areas.