Gujarat Floods: 26 Dead, Thousands Evacuated as IMD Warns of More Heavy Rain

Gujarat Floods: IMD Predicts More Showers

Gujarat is battling the aftermath of relentless rains that have claimed 26 lives in just three days, with the state bracing for more heavy downpours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted extremely heavy rainfall in isolated parts of the Saurashtra region on Thursday, prompting a Red Alert.

Severe Impact Across the State The torrential rains have triggered widespread flooding, forcing the evacuation of approximately 17,800 residents from vulnerable areas. The situation remains critical in Vadodara, where the Vishwamitri river has overflowed, inundating low-lying areas and causing severe disruptions. Roads, buildings, and vehicles have been submerged, adding to the chaos.

In a tragic incident, seven people were swept away while crossing a flooded causeway in Morbi district’s Halvad taluka. Despite rescue efforts, their bodies were recovered over the next few days, highlighting the dangers posed by the persistent heavy rains.

Government Response and Rescue Efforts Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the situation, holding discussions with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts. The central government has assured full support, and multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, and the Indian Air Force, have been deployed to assist in rescue operations.

Jamnagar, one of the worst-hit districts, received an astonishing 400mm of rain in just 24 hours. With 25 dams overflowing, the district administration has urged residents in unsafe areas to move to shelters where they will be provided with food and basic necessities.

IMD Issues Fresh Alerts The IMD has warned of more heavy rains in the coming days, particularly in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions. IMD Scientist Ramashray Yadav reported that a deep depression near Bhuj is expected to bring exceptionally heavy rainfall as it moves towards the northeast Arabian Sea. The IMD has issued Red Alerts for Thursday and Friday, with a Yellow Alert for the weekend as heavy rains are expected to persist.

Railway Services Disrupted The ongoing floods have also wreaked havoc on railway operations, with 48 trains canceled, 14 partially canceled, and several others diverted. The Western Railway’s Ahmedabad division has been particularly affected, further complicating the relief efforts.

Gujarat has already received 105% of its average annual rainfall, and with more showers on the way, the state faces an uphill battle in managing the disaster. The government, with the support of the central agencies, is working tirelessly to mitigate the impact, but the situation remains dire. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on safeguarding lives and providing relief to those affected by this devastating natural calamity.

As rescue and relief efforts continue, Gujarat stands united in facing this unprecedented challenge, with the hope that the worst will soon be over.