Lagatar24 Desk
Gandhinagar: Gujarat is facing a severe flood crisis as relentless rainfall continues to lash the state, with more downpours predicted in the coming days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red’ alert for several districts, warning of “extremely heavy to exceptionally heavy” rainfall as a deep depression over Saurashtra and Kachchh intensifies.
The deep depression, currently located 50 km north-northwest of Bhuj, is moving toward the northeast Arabian Sea at a speed of 12 kmph. IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav stated that the weather system is expected to bring further heavy rainfall across the region, with warnings extending over the next four days.
Vadodara is among the worst affected areas, where the city has been submerged under several feet of water for two consecutive days. In some locations, floodwaters have reportedly reached up to 12 feet, creating a dire situation for residents. The Vishwamitri River, which flows through Vadodara, has swelled to 37 feet—significantly above the danger level—due to continuous heavy rain and the release of water from the Ajwa dam. This has resulted in severe flooding throughout the city.
State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel described the situation in Vadodara as “alarming.” Over 5,000 residents have been evacuated to safer areas, and nearly 1,200 stranded individuals have been rescued. To expedite relief and rescue efforts, additional Army columns, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have been deployed.
Despite these efforts, large portions of the city remain submerged, with critical areas such as Siddharth Nagar, Akota, and Fatehgunj among the worst hit.
Across Gujarat, rain-related incidents have claimed 16 lives over the past two days. The continuous downpour has displaced thousands, as the state endures its fourth consecutive day of heavy rainfall.
The Gujarat government is also exploring long-term solutions to address the flooding issue. One proposal under consideration involves diverting water from the Ajwa Dam into the Narmada canal to prevent it from flowing into the already swollen Vishwamitri River. Health Minister Patel confirmed that the plan has been discussed with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
As Gujarat continues to battle these extreme weather conditions, authorities remain on high alert, and residents are urged to stay safe and follow official advisories.
