Lagatar24 Desk
Gandhinagar: At least 15 people have lost their lives, and more than 23,000 have been evacuated as heavy rains continue to batter Gujarat, causing widespread flooding across various districts. The relentless downpour has left several areas submerged, prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations.
Although the intensity of the rain lessened on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert, predicting further rainfall in the coming days. In response to the escalating situation, the Gujarat government has sought the assistance of six Indian Army columns to bolster rescue efforts in the most affected districts, including Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi, and Rajkot.
The state government has also deployed 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) platoons and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams to assist in disaster management efforts.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday to assess the ongoing rescue and relief operations. He urged district collectors to exercise full vigilance, especially in preventing people from venturing into flooded rivers, drains, and lakes. The IMD’s warning to fishermen in coastal areas to avoid venturing into the sea was also emphasized.
The Chief Minister’s Office shared on X that Patel reviewed the involvement of the Army, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF in the ongoing disaster management, including rescue efforts.
Tragic Losses Amid Rain Fury
The heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of at least 15 people since Monday, with casualties reported across multiple districts. The Gujarat government confirmed the following fatalities: one in Morbi, two in Gandhinagar, six in Anand, one in Vadodara, one in Kheda, two in Mahisagar, one in Bharuch, and one in Ahmedabad.
In Vadodara and Panchmahals, the worst-affected districts, more than 12,000 people were relocated on Tuesday alone. To date, over 23,870 people have been shifted to safer locations, and 1,696 individuals have been rescued from dangerous situations. Among those evacuated were 75 pregnant women—45 from Vadodara and 30 from Devbhumi Dwarka—who were safely transferred to nearby health centers.
Rivers Breach Safety Levels
The continuous rainfall has caused several rivers in Gujarat to breach their safety marks, leading to severe flooding in low-lying areas. In Bharuch district, the Narmada River crossed the danger level of 24 feet at Golden Bridge, inundating nearby regions. Similarly, in Vadodara, more than 3,000 people were moved to safer places after the Vishwamitri River surpassed the danger level of 25 feet on Tuesday morning.
As rescue and relief operations continue, the state remains on high alert, with authorities urging residents to stay safe and follow official guidelines.
