The Indian Army has joined large-scale flood rescue operations in Gujarat as relentless rainfall continued to batter the state’s southern districts, forcing thousands of people to evacuate and disrupting road and rail connectivity.
Army flood relief columns from the Golden Katar Division have been deployed in Valsad, Navsari, Ahmedabad city and Ahmedabad rural areas to assist civil authorities. Troops are rescuing stranded residents, delivering essential supplies and supporting relief efforts, including at Dhamdaccha village in Navsari district.
The deployment comes as the state government ramps up rescue and rehabilitation measures across the worst-hit districts of Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Tapi and Dang.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the flood situation at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Gandhinagar and directed officials to deploy additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams wherever required.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi reviewed the situation in Valsad after record rainfall inundated large parts of the district. Officials told him that Umargam received 1,064 mm of rainfall in a single day, while Kaprada recorded 2,566 mm during the current monsoon season.
Heavy rain, combined with water released from the Madhuban Dam, caused rivers to overflow, flooding low-lying areas across the district.
The district administration said 12,376 people were shifted to safer locations in a single day. Sanghavi praised the rescue effort, saying the evacuation was completed without any major accident or reported loss of life.
He directed officials to begin sanitation drives, organise health camps and ensure the immediate distribution of cash assistance and ration kits once floodwaters recede. He also asked authorities to deploy additional sanitation workers, remove accumulated mud and debris, and dispose of damaged household goods to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
The Deputy Chief Minister also advised officials to coordinate with insurance companies to speed up claim settlements for traders and shopkeepers affected by the floods.
During his visit, Sanghavi met passengers stranded at Valsad railway station after heavy rain disrupted train services. Railway officials informed him that the Mumbai-bound railway line had been reopened.
According to the NDRF, its 6th Battalion rescued 67 people, including 25 women and 22 children, from floodwaters in Sarikhurad village of Navsari district after receiving a request from the local administration. Rescue operations were continuing.
In Valsad district, authorities have deployed around 70 Army personnel with five boats, five NDRF teams, five SDRF teams and 25 fire brigade personnel. More than 500 residents from Umargam, Vapi, Dharampur and Pardi talukas have been shifted to safer locations.
Flood conditions have also worsened in Surat district after the Kim River overflowed following heavy inflows from upstream areas. Water submerged the Gaikwadi Road connecting Kosamba and Kim in Mangrol taluka, forcing authorities to close the route to traffic. Floodwaters also entered nearby residential colonies, while officials advised residents to stay away from rivers and waterlogged areas.
In Surat city, emergency teams rescued more than 50 people from Geeta Nagar in Limbayat, the Shitala Mata Mandir area in Varachha and Krishna Nagar in Udhna. Authorities said 2,244 residents from Surat city and another 2,603 people from rural parts of the district have been moved to relief centres and other safe locations.
In Navsari, district officials said heavy rainfall caused the Juj and Keliya dams to overflow, leading to the closure of around 250 roads. Nearly 3,000 people have been relocated to relief shelters.
In Tapi district, SDRF personnel rescued 11 villagers stranded after floodwaters inundated Dhodiyawad Faliya in Dolvan taluka.
In Dang district, rainfall eased on Thursday night, but restoration work continued. The district recorded an average of 263.33 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending July 23. While 23 roads reopened after water levels receded, 18 roads, most of them in Waghai taluka, remained closed.
Authorities have urged residents not to cross flooded rivers, canals or causeways and to follow advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department and local administrations.