Gujarat Rain Alert Triggers Mass Evacuations
Gujarat has strengthened disaster preparedness as forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall prompted evacuations, school closures and round-the-clock monitoring across several districts. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and waterlogged areas.
Gujarat Heavy Rain Alert Issued
Heavy rainfall has been forecast across Ahmedabad, Anand, Aravalli, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dang, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Narmada, Navsari, Sabarkantha, Surat, Tapi, Vadodara and Valsad.
Emergency control rooms have been placed on continuous alert, while rescue equipment and response teams have been positioned in vulnerable areas. Authorities have instructed district officials to monitor low-lying settlements, overtopped roads, bridges and rising water levels.
The weekly statewide cleanliness programme scheduled for August 2 has also been postponed because of the rainfall forecast.
Over 1,100 Evacuated in Surat
Surat recorded between three and 10 inches of rainfall across different talukas, leading authorities to evacuate 1,117 people from vulnerable rural areas by Friday afternoon.
Mangrol reported the largest evacuation, with 321 residents shifted from several villages. Another 276 people were moved from Mandvi, while evacuations were also conducted in Ambika, Olpad, Areth, Bardoli, Choryasi and Kamrej.
The displaced residents were accommodated in government schools, community halls, shelters and relatives’ homes. Food and other essential arrangements were provided.
Tapi Schools Shut Amid Rain Warning
All schools, colleges, Anganwadis and other educational institutions in Tapi district were ordered closed on Saturday. Officials adopted a “zero casualty” approach and directed teams to complete evacuations from flood-prone areas within six hours whenever necessary.
In Dang district, 311 students were evacuated from Mahal Eklavya School after water entered its campus. They were relocated to a nearby secondary school.
An emergency team also rescued 27 people trapped by floodwater in Bodeli, Chhota Udaipur. Authorities said monitoring and relief operations would continue while the heavy rainfall spell persisted.
