At least 15 people have died, over 23,000 evacuated, and more than 300 rescued across various districts in Gujarat as the coastal state continues to endure heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast relief in the coming days, predicting that the deep depression over the Saurashtra-Kachchh and north Gujarat regions will move out by Wednesday evening.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Gujarat government has requested six Indian Army columns to expedite rescue and relief operations. These columns will be deployed across Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi, and Rajkot districts. Meanwhile, 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) platoons and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units have already been dispatched to assist with disaster management efforts.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high-level meeting to assess the situation and review ongoing rescue operations. Patel emphasized the importance of vigilance and urged district authorities to prevent people from entering overflowing rivers and lakes. The Chief Minister also relayed that the IMD has advised district officials in coastal areas to strictly enforce warnings for fishermen to stay off the sea.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out to the Chief Minister to discuss the situation. In a post on X, Patel shared that the Prime Minister assured all necessary support from the Central Government and expressed deep concern for the people of Gujarat.
As per official reports, the rain-related fatalities since Monday included one death each in the districts of Morbi, Vadodara, Kheda, Bharuch, and Ahmedabad. Gandhinagar and Mahisagar each reported two deaths, while Anand recorded six fatalities. Vadodara and Panchmahals were among the worst-hit areas, with over 12,000 people evacuated on Tuesday alone.
In Bharuch, the Narmada River surpassed the danger mark, causing low-lying areas to flood. Similarly, the Vishwamitri River in Vadodara rose above safe levels, prompting the evacuation of over 3,000 residents. More than 1,200 people were evacuated from Navsari, while smaller evacuations occurred in Valsad, Bharuch, Kheda, and Botad districts. Among those evacuated were 75 pregnant women who were transferred to nearby health centers for safety.
Chief Minister Patel convened a video conference with District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners to coordinate statewide efforts. The Chief Secretary and senior officials from various departments were also present. Patel was briefed on the state’s rainfall status, with Gujarat having received nearly 99.66% of its total seasonal rainfall by August 27. Kutch recorded 116.79% of its average rainfall, while North Gujarat, Saurashtra, South Gujarat, and Central Gujarat also reported significant rainfall figures.
The Chief Minister highlighted that 15 rivers and 21 lakes and dams in the state have overflowed. He directed local authorities to ensure that the public stays away from these bodies of water. With 206 reservoirs now at 72.73% of their total capacity, and 76 of them full, Patel stressed the importance of close monitoring and disaster preparedness.
In addition to the Army and disaster relief teams, the Navy and Coast Guard have also joined rescue efforts. Most evacuations have occurred in Panchmahal, with the Indian Air Force providing assistance in Vadodara and Jamnagar.
As the state braces for more rainfall, the Chief Minister advised citizens to prioritize safety and follow the guidelines issued by disaster management authorities. The administration is also taking steps to address power disruptions, with over 7,800 villages having their electricity restored after outages due to storm damage. Efforts are underway to repair damaged power poles and reopen roads blocked by fallen trees.
Public health measures have also been initiated, with district administrations preparing for water disposal and disease control efforts. The Health Department is ensuring the distribution of essential medicines to prevent outbreaks of waterborne illnesses.
As the situation evolves, the Gujarat government remains on high alert, with Chief Minister Patel emphasizing a zero-casualty approach in managing the ongoing rain-related emergency.
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