Gujarat Floods Claim 28 Lives; 17,800 Evacuated Amid Heavy Rainfall

At least 28 people have lost their lives owing to relentless downpours that have caused severe water logging and a flood-like situation in Gujarat. 17,800 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas. In Vadodara, one of the hardest-hit districts, more than 12,000 people have been rescued, and around 5,000 have been rehabilitated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed full support for the state’s rescue and relief efforts. In a telephone conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Modi offered guidance on addressing sanitation and public health issues in the flood-affected areas. Chief Minister Patel has urged officials to focus on relief efforts, particularly in Vadodara, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar, and to restore power supplies while providing essential aid to those affected.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rescued 95 people over the past two days. Many residents remain displaced or stranded due to the ongoing floods. The Indian Army has deployed six contingents to assist the 14 NDRF and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams involved in rescue operations. State relief commissioner Alok Pandey reported that approximately 40,000 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas.

According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), Gujarat has received 105 percent of its average annual rainfall so far. Areas in the Saurashtra region, particularly Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar, and Rajkot, have experienced very heavy rainfall. Notably, Bhanvad taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka recorded the highest rainfall of 185 mm in a 12-hour period.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the entire state. A deep depression moving from East Rajasthan towards Saurashtra is expected to bring further heavy rainfall. The IMD has forecasted extremely heavy showers in 12 districts, including Kachchh, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar.​