Gujarat Floods: Death Toll Climbs To 26, 18,000 Evacuated in 3 Days; Rescue Ops Underway

In the past three days, Gujarat has faced relentless downpours, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 26 lives.

Nearly 18,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas, as the state continues to grapple with the severe weather.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for 11 districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall today, reported India Today.

Among the deceased are seven individuals who went missing when the tractor-trolley they were traveling in was swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway near Dhavana village in Morbi district, as reported by PTI.

The deaths have occurred across multiple districts, including Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh, and Bharuch. The ongoing heavy rain is attributed to a deep depression in the region.

The IMD's red alert covers the Kachchh and Saurashtra regions, specifically targeting Kachchh, Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Botad, Gir Somnath, Amreli, and Bhavnagar districts. Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for 22 districts across North, Central, and South Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in contact with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation and has assured the Centre's support for the state.

In Vadodara, where the rain has temporarily ceased, flooding has been reported in several low-lying areas after the Vishwamitri river breached its banks.

Rescue operations are in full swing, with over 6,000 people relocated to safer areas as rivers and dams across the state continue to rise.

The Gujarat government has requested assistance from the Indian Army, deploying six columns in the districts of Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi, and Rajkot.

Also, 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) platoons and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) platoons have been deployed to support disaster management efforts.

Visuals from across Gujarat depict widespread flooding, with rescue personnel working tirelessly to evacuate people from affected areas.

In Vadodara, the road leading to the Statue of Unity has been damaged due to the heavy rain.

The IMD forecasts that the depression may move out of the Kachchh and Saurashtra regions towards the Arabian Sea by August 30, with a possibility of temporary and marginal intensification over the northeast Arabian Sea on the same day.

The IMD has also warned of localized flooding, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and the potential closure of underpasses, particularly in urban areas.