In a significant weather development, heavy rainfall and the controlled discharge of water from major dams, including the Sardar Sarovar, Ukai and Kadana have severely impacted several regions of Gujarat, particularly in the southern and central areas of the state. The adverse weather conditions prompted the evacuation of nearly 10,000 residents across five districts, with over 200 individuals requiring rescue operations due to extensive waterlogging and flood-related situations.
The worst-affected districts, namely Bharuch, Narmada and Vadodara, have witnessed extensive flooding in low-lying areas, leading to the isolation of numerous villages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for seven districts, namely Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha, forecasting isolated and exceptionally heavy rainfall until Tuesday morning. Additionally, the IMD has cautioned about the likelihood of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in Gujarat through Thursday morning.
Officials from the Narmada Corporation are diligently managing the water levels in the dam and are continuously working to mitigate the flood’s impact.
Rescue Operation by Fire Brigade Team in Anand District
On Monday, a fire brigade team in Gujarat’s Anand district successfully rescued five individuals who were trapped in floodwaters near Kherda village. The incident occurred when the waters of the Mahisagar River inundated fields near Kherda village in Anand district.
On the previous day, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams had evacuated approximately 206 villagers due to the excess water release from the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat’s Narmada district.
Varied Rainfall Patterns Across the City
Following a relatively dry August and September, the city experienced one of the season’s final spells of rainfall on Sunday. While eastern parts of the city reported comparatively higher rainfall, western areas faced traffic disruptions due to waterlogging, resulting in the closure of several routes, including the underpasses at Mithakhali and Akhbarnagar.
Commuters on SG Road and 132 feet Ring Road also exercised caution, as some road sections were closed due to water accumulation. Notable rainfall figures in western areas included Usmanpura with 100mm, Science City with 87mm, Bodakdev with 65mm, Jodhpur with 57mm, and Bopal with 48mm.
Low-Pressure System to Bring More Rainfall
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area over southwest Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh, accompanied by a cyclonic circulation, is responsible for the substantial rainfall in Gujarat, primarily in its northern, central and eastern regions. The system is expected to gradually move towards southwest Rajasthan in the next two days.
As a result, parts of north Gujarat and Kutch are anticipated to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Patan, Mehsana, Gandhinagar and Mahisagar likely to experience such conditions. Additionally, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Panchmahal, Surendranagar and Kutch are forecasted to receive heavy rainfall. Saurashtra and Kutch may experience light thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds.
Schools and Colleges Closed in Narmada District Due to Flood Reports
In response to reports of flooding in numerous villages of Narmada district following the release of water from the Narmada Dam, the district administration has issued a notification to keep all schools, colleges, and ITIs closed on Monday.
Rivers Swollen, Rescue Operations Ongoing
Apart from the Narmada River, rain-fed rivers such as Orsang, Heran, Mahi, Meshri and Panam have surged due to heavy rainfall and water discharge from various dams, resulting in the inundation of low-lying villages. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, along with local rescue teams, have been tirelessly evacuating people stranded in flooded areas. This includes the rescue of approximately 70 students from a residential school in Narmada district and around 100 laborers trapped under a bridge in Panchmahal district. An NDRF team also successfully rescued patients stranded in a hospital in Vasantpara village in Narmada district.
The incessant rain in Ahmedabad has disrupted normal life, with citizens avoiding outdoor activities due to waterlogged roads. Toward the evening, the city experienced thunderstorms and intermittent heavy rainfall. Ahmedabad received 84mm of rainfall until 8 pm on Sunday.
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