Heavy Rains Lash Gujarat; IMD Issues Red Alert for Several Areas

Gujarat  : Heavy rains continue to batter several parts of Gujarat for the fourth consecutive day, causing widespread disruption and flooding across multiple districts. The Saurashtra region, particularly Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Rajkot, and Kutch, has been severely impacted, recording very heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.

In Devbhoomi Dwarka, Bhanwad recorded the highest rainfall, exceeding 10 inches, while Kalyanpur, Dwarka, and Khambhaliya tehsils also reported substantial rainfall of more than 8 inches. The heavy downpour has led to significant flooding, necessitating extensive relief and rescue operations. Over 17,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas, with more than 5,000 relocated from Vadodara city alone. The situation in Vadodara remains critical as floodwaters inundate residential areas, prompting the rescue of nearly 1,200 stranded individuals.

To bolster the ongoing rescue efforts, additional resources have been deployed. Four more columns of the Indian Army and five National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were dispatched to Vadodara yesterday to assist in relief operations. The flooding has caused significant challenges, with many areas still submerged and the threat of further rainfall adding to the urgency of the situation.

Despite a slight reduction in rainfall intensity in some flood-affected regions of Central Gujarat, such as Vadodara, large areas remain underwater. Relief efforts are ongoing, with authorities working tirelessly to provide aid and support to those impacted. Tragically, at least 25 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across the state over the past four days, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several parts of Gujarat, predicting extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions today. Residents are being urged to stay indoors and take precautions as the situation remains precarious, with the potential for further flooding and disruptions.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, coordinating efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of affected communities. The ongoing heavy rains have also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges, further complicating relief operations. As Gujarat faces this severe weather challenge, efforts to provide aid and restore normalcy are being intensified, with a focus on safeguarding lives and minimizing the impact of the flooding.