Gujarat rain update: IMD issues red alert as heavy rains lash Gujarat; several districts flooded
Gujarat rain update: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a warning, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Gujarat over the next two-three days. In the past 48 hours, incessant rains have inundated several parts of the state, forcing the displacement of hundreds of residents to safer areas.
Navsari district has been particularly hard-hit, prompting the IMD to issue a "red alert" for the area on August 26. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed officials to evacuate people from low-lying regions to safer locations. The districts most affected by the heavy rains include Valsad, Tapi, Navsari, Surat, Narmada, and Panchmahal in South Gujarat, according to the Chief Minister's office.
Key Developments
A search operation led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is currently underway in Morbi district to locate seven persons who were swept away along with their tractor-trolley while attempting to cross a flooded causeway.
Data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) indicates that Khergam taluka in Navsari district recorded the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours, receiving 356 mm of rain as of 6 am on Monday.
Other districts, including Narmada, Saurashtra, Rajkot, Tapi, Mahisagar, Morbi, Dahod, and Vadodara, recorded over 100 mm of rainfall.
Gujarat Chief Secretary has advised the administration to remain vigilant, particularly in areas where large crowds are expected during upcoming festivals in the Shravan month.
The current spell of rain has resulted in South Gujarat districts receiving more than 105 percent of their average annual rainfall so far, the highest in the state.
Eight districts in South Gujarat and Saurashtra have recorded more than 100 percent of their average annual rainfall.
Due to heavy rainfall in catchment areas, the water level at the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam has surged to 135.30 metre.
Gujarat's 206 reservoirs now contain 3.64 lakh million cubic feet of water, representing 65 percent of their total capacity.
With the significant rise in water levels, 72 reservoirs have been placed on high alert, and 15 are under regular alert.
The local administration has been directed to ensure the immediate restoration of roads closed due to flooding and to minimise any disruptions to the electricity supply.
- With inputs from agencies
