Relentless rainfall continued to batter several parts of Gujarat on Friday, claiming four lives, forcing thousands of people to move to safer places, and putting the entire state administration on high alert. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts and an orange alert for 11 others, warning of more heavy rainfall on Saturday.
With rivers overflowing, roads submerged and rescue teams deployed across vulnerable areas, the state government has appealed to people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Three Farm Labourers Die of Electrocution in Navsari
One of the most tragic incidents was reported from Gandevi taluka in Navsari district, where three farm labourers lost their lives after the tempo truck they were travelling in came into contact with a live high-tension overhead power line.
According to police, the accident occurred on Friday morning while the labourers were travelling from Gandeva village to a nearby farm. Heavy rainfall and poor visibility are believed to have contributed to the incident. The deceased have been identified as:
Kalpesh Halpati (30)
Nitin Halpati (32)
Jigar Halpati (21)
All three were residents of Gandeva village.
Two other labourers suffered serious injuries in the accident and were shifted to a hospital in Kharel for treatment.
Gandevi Police Inspector N.I. Rathod said continuous rainfall and low visibility likely played a major role in the accident.
11-Year-Old Girl Swept Away in Anand
In another heartbreaking incident, an 11-year-old girl died after being swept away by strong water currents in a canal in Borsad taluka of Anand district.
The incident happened on Friday as the girl was near the canal along with her siblings. While the other children were rescued safely, the young girl was swept away and lost her life.
Rainfall Crosses 61% of Seasonal Average
According to a state government release, Gujarat has already received 61.5 per cent of its seasonal rainfall by Friday evening.
The continuous showers have caused flooding in several districts, waterlogging in low-lying areas and rising water levels in rivers and canals, prompting large-scale rescue and evacuation efforts.
More Than 16,500 People Shifted to Safer Places
As a precaution, authorities evacuated more than 16,500 people from flood-prone areas across Gujarat. In addition, 41 people were rescued from different locations where they had become trapped due to rising water levels.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel personally reviewed the flood situation during a late-night visit to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC). Officials briefed him on rescue operations, weather forecasts and preparedness measures being taken across the state.
Army, Air Force and Disaster Teams Ready
To deal with any emergency, multiple agencies have been deployed across Gujarat. Two Army columns each have been stationed in:
Ahmedabad
Navsari
Surat
Meanwhile, Air Force helicopters have been kept on standby at:
Jamnagar
Jodhpur
Vadodara
Pune
These helicopters will be used for rescue and relief operations if the weather situation worsens. The state has also deployed:
33 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
These teams have been positioned in vulnerable districts to respond quickly to flooding, rescue operations and other emergencies.
Gandevi Remains Worst-Hit Area
Navsari’s Gandevi taluka continues to be one of the worst-affected regions after days of heavy rainfall. District authorities have closed 11 panchayat roads as they remain unsafe for travel. People living in flood-prone villages, including:
Torangam
Devdha
Undach
Khakhwada
Ajrai
have been shifted to relief shelters.
Officials said priority is being given to evacuating elderly citizens, pregnant women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable residents.
Government Urges People to Stay Indoors
State Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana has appealed to residents not to leave their homes unless it is a medical emergency. He advised people to:
Avoid unnecessary travel.
Stay away from rivers, canals and overflowing water bodies.
Keep away from waterlogged roads and low-lying areas.
Follow official weather updates and administration advisories.
Authorities have warned that the situation could worsen if heavy rainfall continues over the next two days.
Ahmedabad Tightens Safety Measures
Following the IMD’s heavy rain forecast till August 2, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has stepped up safety measures across the city. Entry to all lakefront gardens has been banned on Friday and Saturday as a precaution.
The AMC has also postponed Friday’s celebrations marking the conclusion of the annual Gauri and Jaya-Parvati fast, which were scheduled to be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront and Kankaria Lakefront.
Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani urged residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary and asked citizens to stay alert during the ongoing spell of heavy rain.
Fire Department on 24-Hour Alert
The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department has significantly increased its preparedness to respond to any emergency caused by heavy rainfall. Key arrangements include:
All 19 fire stations operating at full capacity.
678 fire and rescue personnel deployed on 24-hour standby.
Holidays of all officers and staff cancelled to ensure adequate manpower.
Continuous monitoring from the AMC’s Monsoon Control Room.
Officials said every possible step has been taken to ensure immediate emergency response across the city.
Rescue Boats Ready for Flood Emergencies
The AMC has also kept eight rescue boats on standby for flood rescue operations. Each boat has a trained crew of seven members, who will remain on duty round the clock to respond immediately if flooding occurs.
Dedicated teams of officers and emergency staff will continue to monitor rainfall and weather conditions from the city’s main monsoon control room throughout the day.
Red Alert Continues as State Remains on High Alert
With more heavy rainfall expected over the weekend, Gujarat remains on high alert. Rescue agencies, the Army, Air Force, SDRF, NDRF and local authorities are working together to respond to emergencies and protect residents in vulnerable areas.
Officials have once again urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded roads and water bodies, and follow official advisories until weather conditions improve.
Also Read: Gujarat On High Alert: Schools Shut In 4 Districts As 13 Face Red Alert For Heavy Rain https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarat-heavy-rain-red-alert-schools-closed-13-districts/
