Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel convened a high-level meeting on Monday at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar to evaluate the impact of heavy rains across the state. The Chief Minister reviewed the situation via video conference with collectors, municipal commissioners, and district officials from rain-affected regions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring public safety and minimizing loss of life and livestock.
In the meeting, CM Patel directed officials to prioritize the safe evacuation of residents from low-lying areas and instructed district collectors and municipal commissioners to enforce strict measures to prevent people from entering flooded rivers or roads. The Chief Minister stressed that public safety should be the government’s top priority, even if it requires police intervention.
As per official reports, 17,827 people have been evacuated, and 1,653 individuals have been rescued in the state so far. To support rescue and relief efforts, 13 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed in the affected districts.
The meeting also highlighted the widespread rainfall across Gujarat in the past 24 hours, with rain reported in 244 talukas across 33 districts. The state recorded an average rainfall of 63.36 mm during this period, with Khergam in Navsari district receiving the highest at 356 mm. Between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Monday, Morwa Hadaf in Panchmahal saw the highest rainfall at 157 mm. The season’s average rainfall across Gujarat has reached 91.88%.
Chief Minister Patel received updates on river and reservoir water levels, noting that 59 of the state’s 206 reservoirs are at full capacity. Additionally, 72 reservoirs are on high alert, while nine are under flood warning. Sardar Sarovar Dam is currently holding 88.74% of its total storage capacity.
Power supply disruptions were reported in 7,009 villages, with restoration completed in 6,977 of them. Of the 6,090 power poles damaged by the rains, 5,961 have already been repaired. CM Patel instructed officials to work on a war footing to restore power, clear roads, and resume the supply of essential items in affected areas.
The Chief Minister also called for preventive measures to avoid post-rainfall epidemics, including clearing debris, soil, and sediment, and ensuring roads are cleared for traffic.
As of now, 523 roads remain closed in districts like Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Dang, and Chhota Udepur due to flooding. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Gujarat over the next two to three days, with particular concern for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions.
In response to the forecast, CM Patel instructed officials in Navsari, Valsad, Dang, Panchmahal, Vadodara, and Chhota Udepur districts to remain on high alert. The Chief Minister also directed district in-charge secretaries to immediately reach their assigned districts to guide local administration during this critical period.
Senior state government officials, including Chief Secretary Rajkumar, along with representatives from the NDRF and the Meteorological Department, were present at the meeting.
Navsari remains one of the most affected regions, with severe flooding prompting widespread evacuations. The IMD continues to warn of very heavy rainfall in Gujarat, urging authorities and residents to remain vigilant.
