Gujarat Government Issues Red Alert for Surat Amid Heavy Rainfall
Surat on High Alert Due to Severe Weather Conditions
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Surat, July 31: Authorities in Gujarat have advised residents of Surat city and its district to stay indoors or seek safer locations for the next 24 hours following a 'red alert' issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) regarding heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. The government has activated continuous monitoring, initiated evacuations from at-risk areas, and placed disaster response teams on high alert.
During a visit to the Surat District Disaster Control Room on Friday, State Minister of State for Health, Praful Pansheriya, assessed the preparedness measures in place.
District Collector Tejas Parmar provided updates on the current weather conditions, the operations of the disaster control room, and the ongoing relief and rescue efforts.
Pansheriya confirmed that the state and district administrations had completed all necessary preparations in light of the red alert for heavy rain and strong winds, stating that "the Surat District Control Room is continuously monitoring the situation."
He urged residents to remain cautious, noting that wind speeds could reach up to 30 km/h, accompanied by heavy rainfall over the next day.
"The safety of every citizen is our top priority. We urge everyone to avoid unnecessary outings and risky activities, such as visiting creeks or riverbanks to observe rising waters," he emphasized.
In response to the situation, the Surat Collector has ordered textile units, diamond factories, and industrial associations to declare a holiday.
The administration has also started relocating residents from areas previously affected by flooding, as well as from low-lying regions like Velanja, to safer locations.
Residents are advised to stock up on essential supplies, including drinking water and milk, to last at least 24 hours.
"All leave for government employees in Surat city and district has been canceled to ensure sufficient manpower for emergency responses," Pansheriya added.
The Surat Municipal Corporation, district administration, and police have ramped up their preparedness efforts, while teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are on standby for relief operations.
"Disaster management teams are working around the clock, and local officials have remained operational throughout the night to ensure continuous support," he noted.
Local elected officials, including MLAs and corporators, are actively monitoring conditions in their areas.
Pansheriya also warned the public against misinformation circulating on social media, urging residents to rely solely on official updates from the Collector's Office.
"Citizens should disregard rumors or unauthorized information. They must depend on the official advisories released hourly by the Collector's Office. Strict legal action will be taken against those spreading false information on social media," he stated.