Surat witnessed severe waterlogging after just 1.5 to 2 hours of heavy rain on Saturday morning, with several roads submerged and traffic disrupted across the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more heavy rainfall with strong winds in the afternoon, raising concerns of further flooding.
Major areas, including Vesu VIP Road, Khatu Shyam Mandir, Ashwini Kumar Crematorium Road, Suryapur Garnala, Katargam and Pandol, were inundated as roads turned into streams. Waterlogging at Suryapur Garnala left several vehicles stranded, while the stretch up to Podar Arcade was completely submerged.
Traffic moved at a crawl as cars and two-wheelers struggled through flooded roads, with some vehicles breaking down mid-route, leading to long traffic jams. Many commuters were forced to take alternate routes to reach their destinations.
The heavy rain also affected the city’s BRTS network, with services on several routes disrupted and some temporarily suspended due to waterlogging.
With the IMD’s red alert still in effect and more intense rainfall expected later in the day, the administration has been put on alert. Officials fear that if heavy showers continue, flooding in low-lying areas could worsen, causing further disruption to transport and daily life.