GANDHINAGAR — Just as the state was settling into a dry spell, a powerful second stretch of the monsoon has hit Gujarat with full force. Heavy downpours over the past day have triggered widespread flooding, thrown daily schedules off track, and left several southern districts struggling under waterlogged conditions.

South Gujarat Hit Hardest

South Gujarat has borne the brunt of the heavy spells, with Valsad being the worst affected. The district recorded a staggering 36+ inches of rain within 24 hours, flooding low-lying neighborhoods and causing severe disruptions. Neighboring Navsari, Surat, and Tapi are also reeling from torrential downpours, while record rainfall in Umerpada and Umargam has pushed local waters to critical levels.

The heavy rains have severely disrupted regional transportation:

  • Rail Operations Hit: Train services on the Western Railway corridor between Surat and Mumbai were suspended after floodwaters submerged the tracks.

  • Key Trains Halted: Major routes between Ahmedabad and Mumbai were impacted—trains including the Karnavati Express and the Double Decker Express were forced to stop mid-journey.

Rescue & Relief Operations in Full Swing

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a Red Alert for all South Gujarat districts and forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the next seven days, administration teams have mobilized rapidly.

Current Emergency Deployments in Valsad:

  • NDRF: 3 teams active on the ground, with 2 additional teams flying in from New Delhi.

  • SDRF: 5 teams deployed.

  • Indian Army & Local Response: A 70-member Army unit equipped with 5 rescue boats, alongside a 25-member fire department squad, is actively conducting relief operations.

Precautionary School & College Closures

In response to rising water levels and ongoing weather warnings, municipal authorities have ordered widespread educational closures:

  • Surat: All schools and colleges will remain closed on July 24.

  • Gandhinagar: All educational institutions—from Anganwadis to colleges—have been ordered shut.

  • Ahmedabad: Authorities have advised individual institutions to evaluate local waterlogging and decide on closures accordingly.