Gujarat Braces for More Flooding as Heavy Rains Trigger Red Alert

Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are grappling with severe flooding as relentless monsoon rains continue to batter Gujarat, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for multiple districts. The heavy downpour, driven by a deep depression near Patan, approximately 100 km north of Gandhinagar, has caused widespread disruptions, including road closures and infrastructure damage. The IMD forecasts that the intense rainfall will persist until August 29, 2024, particularly affecting northern and western coastal areas of the state.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reports that Gujarat has already received nearly its entire average annual rainfall, with Kutch, Saurashtra, and south Gujarat surpassing their typical totals. Cities like Rajkot, Vadodara, and Surat have faced severe waterlogging, with the Kutch-Ahmedabad highway closed and traffic rerouted via Palanpur. In Vadodara, the Army deployed helicopters to rescue stranded residents, while a bridge collapse in Surendranagar and damage to the Rajkot-Ahmedabad national highway have further disrupted travel.

The IMD has warned of potential landslides, additional flooding, and damage to crops, with wind speeds expected to reach 60 kmph in some areas. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing out to sea due to hazardous conditions. In response, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has held multiple review meetings, directing district officials to oversee relief efforts and ensure the safety of residents, as reported by India Today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also assured central government support to aid the state’s response.

The heavy rains have impacted transportation, with three trains Ahmedabad-Vadodara Intercity Express, Vadodara-Ahmedabad Intercity Express, and Vadodara-Jamnagar Intercity Express canceled due to the weather. In Vadodara, water levels at the Ajwa Dam and Vishwamitri River are nearing critical thresholds, raising concerns about worsening floods. The state government has declared a holiday for primary schools on Tuesday to ensure student safety amid the ongoing crisis.