Gujarat Floods: Over 38,000 Evacuated Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Gujarat's Response to Heavy Rainfall
Gandhinagar, July 24: In response to severe rainfall, Gujarat has successfully relocated over 38,600 individuals and rescued more than 5,500 residents as part of extensive relief and rescue efforts. Emergency teams, including personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard, are actively engaged in the most affected districts of the state.
The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar reported that a total of 38,653 individuals have been moved to safer locations during the ongoing monsoon season, while 5,547 people have been rescued from flood-impacted regions.
To address emergencies, the state government has deployed 49 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) throughout Gujarat.
Additionally, six teams from the Indian Army are stationed in Ahmedabad, Navsari, and Valsad, with two teams assigned to each district.
The Indian Air Force is conducting rescue missions in Vadodara, while the Indian Coast Guard is performing aerial surveys over the flood-affected regions of Navsari, Valsad, and Tapi districts.
Coast Guard teams are also engaged in rescue operations in Bilimora and Gandevi, assisting individuals stranded by rising waters to reach safer areas.
Heavy rainfall continues to impact parts of north and central Gujarat, with the SEOC noting that Deodar taluka in Banaskantha district received over three inches of rain in just two hours.
Other areas, including Bhabhar in Banaskantha, Dhansura in Aravalli, Lilia in Amreli, and Santalpur in Patan, recorded more than two inches of rainfall.
Rescue operations persisted across several districts on Friday. An SDRF team successfully rescued individuals in Pandor village, Valsad district, while another operation took place in Dharampuri, Navsari district.
In Ahmedabad district, local authorities, with SDRF support, rescued three individuals trapped in rainwater at Chaloda village late Thursday night.
In a separate incident, 20 passengers stranded on a bus between Sarbhat and Badarkha villages in Ahmedabad were safely evacuated using a tractor.
The Indian Coast Guard also initiated a rescue operation at Meghar village in Gandevi, working to relocate affected residents to safety.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik is set to visit the State Emergency Operations Centre in Gandhinagar today to evaluate the situation in the flood-affected districts and assess the ongoing relief and rescue efforts.
Authorities confirmed that rescue and relief operations are ongoing as emergency agencies continue to monitor the changing weather conditions and respond to incidents throughout the state.