As per the ANI report, Pandey said that the state government is fully engaged in managing the crisis, with CM Patel personally overseeing operations and issuing directives to district collectors and municipal commissioners. To ensure the safety of residents, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed across various locations, with Army units on standby in five districts. The Coast Guard and Air Force have also been involved, conducting over 300 rescue operations so far.
The rainfall, which began after a weather depression moved from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh towards Gujarat, has been relentless, pushing the state’s rainfall figures to 100% of the seasonal average. In the last four months, the heavy rains have resulted in 99 deaths and the rescue of about 1,700 people across the state.
CM Patel has been in constant communication with district officials, holding meetings to discuss the ongoing situation. He has urged for the swift and safe evacuation of people from low-lying areas and stressed the importance of preventing the loss of life and livestock. Special instructions were given to ensure that no one crosses rivers or flooded roads, with police to be deployed where necessary to enforce these measures.
In many parts of Gujarat, heavy waterlogging has been reported. The continuous downpour has led to the release of water from the Ajwa and Pratappura Reservoirs into the Vishwamitri River, exacerbating the flooding. In areas like Malpur, the rain has made it difficult for residents to move around, and in Vadodara, the Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple complex has been submerged, forcing its closure.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), significant rainfall was recorded between August 26 and 27 across various parts of Gujarat. Vadodara received the highest at 28 cm, followed by Rajkot with 19 cm, and Ahmedabad with 12 cm. Other areas such as Bhuj, Naliya, Okha, Dwarka, and Porbandar also experienced heavy rains.
Rescue operations have been particularly intense in Valsad, where NDRF teams are working tirelessly to manage the flood-like conditions. So far, around 17,827 people have been evacuated from affected areas, and 1,653 individuals have been rescued.
The Chief Minister has reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritising the safety of all citizens during this challenging time. With 13 NDRF teams and 22 SDRF teams deployed across the state, efforts are ongoing to ensure that everyone in the affected areas is brought to safety as quickly as possible.
(With inputs from ANI)