Gujarat flood death toll rises to 35 as waters recede; relief operations continue

The death toll from rain-related incidents in Gujarat has reached 35 over the past two days, as authorities recovered bodies after floodwaters receded and rescue operations concluded, officials said on Saturday (July 25, 2026).

“A total of 35 rain-related deaths have been reported so far in the State in the last two days as bodies washed away in floodwaters were recovered and missing persons were accounted for after the rain stopped and rescue operations concluded,” Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana said.

Most fatalities occurred due to drowning or people being swept away by strong currents. Of the total deaths, 29 were reported from the worst-affected districts of Navsari and Valsad.

With rainfall easing across the State, the administration shifted its focus to post-flood restoration. Authorities began assessing damage to crops, houses and public infrastructure, besides undertaking cleaning drives and pesticide spraying to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.

More than 7,000 people were rescued during the recent spell of heavy rain, with the highest number of rescue operations in Navsari and Surat districts. Over 42,000 residents were relocated to safer places, while rescue efforts are now nearing completion, Mr. Makwana said.

The State deployed 18 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 32 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), supported by the Indian Army, Coast Guard and local volunteers. Three NDRF teams each were stationed in Navsari and Ahmedabad districts.

Navsari District Collector Manish Gurwani said 19 bodies had been recovered in the district. Around 14,000 people were relocated, while nearly 1,200 rescue operations were carried out jointly by the NDRF, SDRF, district administration and local swimmers. The Indian Coast Guard also airlifted 60 stranded shrimp farmers from the Mendhar-Gandevi area.

In neighbouring Valsad, where the death toll stands at 10, District Collector Nitin Sangwan said rescue operations had concluded and damage assessment surveys had begun. Financial assistance for affected residents, including compensation for damaged household items, wage losses of up to three days and livestock deaths, will be disbursed from Monday (July 27, 2026) through bank transfers or cash payments. About 20,000 people were either rescued or relocated in the district.

Although the intensity of rainfall has reduced, parts of north Gujarat continued to receive heavy showers. In the 24 hours ending 6 a.m. on Saturday (July 25, 2026), Santalpur and Radhanpur talukas in Patan district recorded 381 mm and 342 mm of rainfall, respectively, while Bhabhar in Banaskantha received 287 mm.

Between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday (July 25, 2026), Kaprada and Nanapondha in Valsad district, Deodar and Lakhani in Banaskantha district, and Khergam in Navsari received 71 mm, 49 mm, 50 mm and 46 mm of rainfall, respectively, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert on Saturday (July 25, 2026) for Banaskantha, Patan, Surendranagar, Mehsana, Kheda, Aravalli and Sabarkantha districts, while an orange alert has been forecast for some of these districts on Sunday (July 26, 2026).

In Ahmedabad district, the NDRF rescued and evacuated 103 people stranded in flood-hit areas of Dholka taluka. In Navsari, rescue teams saved 120 people and evacuated another 43 from inundated villages, besides recovering the bodies of two elderly persons.

In Patan district, 35 people from 10 families were shifted to safety from Chhansara village in Santalpur taluka, where a school was also evacuated as a precaution. Several approach roads linking villages remained cut off, with restoration work under way, officials said.