Gujarat floods: 1 dead, 1,600 evacuated as heavy rain hits Surat, Valsad, Navsari
A fisherman died and at least 19 people were rescued in Gujarat's Valsad district on Wednesday as heavy rain caused flooding in the Daman Ganga, Par and Auranga rivers. The districts of Navsari and Surat also experienced heavy rainfall, leading to flood-like conditions.
In Surat city, the Bhedwad and Mithi creeks are flowing close to danger levels. Authorities have issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in the region. Over 500 panchayat roads have been closed due to waterlogging in Valsad, Surat and Navsari, and more than 1,600 people have been moved to safer locations. Two additional teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in low-lying areas along the creeks in Surat.
The Kevdi dam in Mandvi taluka of Surat district is on high alert due to heavy inflow. Of the total evacuations, 300 people were from Surat, 1,026 from Navsari and 300 from Valsad. Over 300 district and taluka panchayat roads in Valsad, around 180 in Navsari and 51 in Surat have been closed.
In Valsad's Nana Pondha taluka, the Koparli-Vapi road was closed after a private bus from Nashik with 16 passengers got stuck in floodwaters. All passengers were safely rescued on Wednesday morning, according to an official release. The NDRF also rescued three workers trapped in a flooded sewage treatment plant in the Pali Hill area of Valsad town.
Valsad District Collector Nitin Sangwan said, "The Damanganga, Par and Auranga rivers are flowing near the danger level. We have alerted people on the banks to be ready for evacuation if water levels rise further. A man who went fishing died by drowning. Over 300 district and taluka panchayat roads have been closed."
In Navsari, low-lying areas of Bilimora town were submerged after five inches of rain on Wednesday. The Ambika river is overflowing along both banks, with floodwater entering the city. Many houses in the shipyard area of Bilimora have been flooded. Several areas in Navsari town and talukas were submerged by Wednesday afternoon. From 6 am to 4 pm, Vansda recorded 172 mm of rainfall, while Navsari town received 96 mm. The Ambika, Purna and Kaveri rivers are also in spate.
Navsari District Collector Manish Gurwani said, "From morning till late afternoon, we shifted over 1,026 people, mainly in Gandevi and Chikhli talukas. They have been moved to designated shelter homes like anganwadis, government primary schools and other places. We are monitoring water levels in all three rivers, which are flowing near danger levels. The Kaveri river mainly affects Chikhli, the Purna river affects Navsari town, and the Ambika river affects Gandevi taluka. No casualties have been reported so far. Over 180 district and taluka panchayat roads have been closed due to waterlogging, and police have been deployed at both ends to prevent people from using these roads."
In Surat, the city recorded 75 mm of rainfall from 8 pm on Tuesday to 4 pm on Wednesday. Talukas also received heavy rainfall: Ambica 140 mm, Mahuva 143 mm, Bardoli 166 mm, Palsana 190 mm, Kamrej 72 mm, Umarpada 82 mm, Mandvi 41 mm and Choryasi 40 mm. The Bhedwad and Mithi creeks in Surat city were flowing about one metre below danger levels. Nearly 51 roads in different talukas have been closed, and people are advised to take alternate routes.
