Torrential monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding across Gujarat, with North Gujarat and the border areas of Patan and Vav-Tharad among the worst affected. The intense rainfall over the past few days has inundated several districts, prompting large-scale evacuations, road closures and emergency rescue operations.
648 Roads Shut Across the State
Heavy rainfall and severe waterlogging have disrupted transportation across Gujarat. According to the Roads and Buildings Department, a total of 648 roads, including state highways, district roads and panchayat roads, have been closed to traffic due to flooding.
Patan Records 15 Inches of Rain
During the past 24 hours, 265 talukas across 34 districts received rainfall, with the state recording an average of 56.19 mm (2.2 inches).
Among the highest rainfall figures:
- Santalpur (Patan): 15 inches
- Radhanpur (Patan): 13.46 inches
- Bhabhar (Banaskantha): 11.3 inches
- Deodar (Banaskantha): 10.83 inches
- Nadiad (Kheda): 10.31 inches
The heavy downpour has led to extensive flooding and waterlogging in several areas.
South Gujarat Receives Highest Seasonal Rainfall
South Gujarat has recorded the highest rainfall this monsoon, receiving 1,177.98 mm, or 76.39% of its seasonal average.
Other regional rainfall figures include:
- Saurashtra: 43.33%
- East-Central Gujarat: 43.21%
- North Gujarat: 254.88 mm (34.90%)
- Kutch: 92.90 mm (18%), the lowest in the state
21 Dams on High Alert
The rising water levels have put pressure on the state’s reservoirs. The Sardar Sarovar Dam currently holds 2,30,289 MCFT of water, equivalent to 68.93% of its total storage capacity.
Across Gujarat:
- 14 dams are at 100% capacity
- 21 dams have been placed on high alert
- 4 dams are on alert
- 14 dams are under warning
The state’s 206 other reservoirs currently hold 44.82% of their combined storage capacity.
More Than 40,000 Evacuated
Authorities have intensified rescue and relief efforts across flood-hit districts. Since the onset of the monsoon, 40,675 people have been shifted to safer locations, while 6,766 people stranded in flood-affected areas have been rescued.
The highest number of evacuations has been reported from:
- Valsad: 15,674 people
- Surat: 14,357 people
NDRF, SDRF and Army Deployed
To assist with relief operations, the government has deployed:
- 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- 32 platoons of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
- 6 Army contingents
Meanwhile, heavy rains have severely damaged the state’s power infrastructure. Of the 4,525 villages affected by power outages, electricity has been restored in 4,348 villages, while 177 villages continue to remain without power.