Severe Flooding in Gujarat: Rising Death Toll and Widespread Displacement
Gujarat is currently grappling with severe floods that have devastated several regions of the state, causing a significant humanitarian crisis. Heavy rainfall has lashed parts of Gujarat for four consecutive days, with Vadodara emerging as the most severely affected urban area. The relentless downpours have led to the flooding of vast low-lying regions in the city, with water levels rising to as high as 10 to 12 feet in some areas. This alarming situation has prompted the Gujarat government to seek assistance from the Indian Army for relief and rescue operations.
In the past three days, the state has witnessed at least 28 fatalities due to rain-related incidents, and over 40,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The state relief commissioner, Alok Kumar Pandey, reported these figures, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has exacerbated concerns by issuing a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in various districts, particularly in the Saurashtra region, further intensifying the state’s monsoon woes.
Although there was a temporary lull in rainfall in Vadodara, the situation remains dire. The Vishwamitri river, which flows through the city, breached its banks after torrential rains and the release of water from the Ajwa Dam, flooding residential areas, roads, and vehicles. The river, having surpassed its danger mark of 25 feet, reached 37 feet, causing widespread inundation across the city.
The state’s health minister and government spokesperson, Rushikesh Patel, visited Vadodara on Wednesday to assess the situation. He confirmed that parts of the city were submerged under 10 to 12 feet of water, with other areas experiencing flooding up to 4 to 5 feet. With the Ajwa Dam’s water level reaching a critical 213.8 feet, authorities were forced to close its gates to prevent further inflow into the already overflowing Vishwamitri river. Despite these efforts, the flooding has continued to wreak havoc on the city.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in close contact with Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, offering the Centre’s support in addressing the natural disaster. The Chief Minister has requested the deployment of five additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and four Army columns to assist with flood relief efforts in Vadodara. Rescue operations have been bolstered with the arrival of rescue boats from Ahmedabad and Surat.
The death toll continues to rise, with fatalities reported from several districts, including Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh, and Bharuch. Among the victims are seven of the eight people who went missing after a tractor trolley they were traveling in was swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway in Morbi district. Tragically, the bodies of these individuals have been recovered, although the whereabouts of a six-year-old girl remain unknown.
The situation remains grim across Gujarat, with at least 14 people being airlifted from flood-affected areas in Porbandar district on Wednesday. Heavy rains and the release of water from the Bhadar Dam have turned villages into isolated islands, making rescue efforts even more challenging.
The state’s emergency operations center has reported that Gujarat has already received 934.49 mm of rainfall this monsoon season, surpassing 105% of its average annual rainfall. On Wednesday alone, several districts in the Saurashtra region received between 50 mm and 200 mm of rainfall, with 13 out of 251 talukas receiving over 200 mm of rain in a 12-hour period.
Transportation across the state has been severely disrupted due to the flooding. Railway tracks have been submerged, leading to the cancellation of 48 trains, with another 14 partially canceled, six short-terminated, and 23 diverted to alternative routes. The state’s 140 reservoirs and dams, along with 24 rivers, are currently flowing above their danger marks, adding to the challenges faced by the authorities.
As Gujarat battles the ongoing monsoon fury, the state government, along with the central government and rescue agencies, continues to work tirelessly to provide relief and assistance to those affected by the floods.