Gujarat: Over 600 Evacuated As Heavy Rain Hits Valsad And Navsari, Vapi Records 326mm Rainfall

Gujarat Rains: CM Bhupendra Patel confirmed that State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF and NDRF) have been deployed and are on standby for assistance.

Heavy rains lashed south Gujarat, causing flooding and displacing hundreds in Valsad and Navsari.

Source : PTI

Heavy rain lashed south Gujarat on Saturday and Sunday, prompting several hundred people to relocate to safety in Valsad and Navsari districts, officials reported. Continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours has flooded low-lying areas, disrupting daily life and halting traffic. 

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), Vapi taluka in Valsad district recorded the highest rainfall in the state, with 326 millimetres in 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Sunday, while Khergam in Navsari received 248 mm during the same period, news agency PTI reported.

VIDEO | Heavy rainfall lashed parts of Gujarat’s Navsari earlier today.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4) pic.twitter.com/WJuADUX0yK

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2024

As per an official, other districts, including Surat, Tapi, and Narmada, have also been severely impacted by the downpour. Over 600 residents in low-lying areas of Valsad were moved to safer locations due to the heavy rainfall.

"A total of 17 persons were shifted in Bilimora city after flooding in low-lying areas. The administration is also keeping a close watch on rising water levels of Purna and Kaveri rivers," AM Gamit, Executive Magistrate (Disaster) of Navsari told to PTI.

CM Bhupendra Patel has instructed district collectors to ensure the safety of residents, including timely evacuations, and to safeguard livestock. He also confirmed that State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF and NDRF) have been deployed and are on standby for assistance.

#WATCH | Gujarat: NDRF team rescued a person stuck in the Auranga river in the Khanjan Palia area of Valsad

(Source: NDRF) pic.twitter.com/IVDdzV2vZM

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024

Rise In Water Level Of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam

Meanwhile, the water level at the Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam rose to 135.30 metres on Sunday, just below its full reservoir capacity of 138.68 metres. SSNNL officials reported that the dam was receiving 2,65,748 cusecs of water from upstream, prompting the opening of 15 radial gates for water discharge.

"While 1,75,000 cusecs water was flowing out through the gates, 36,975 cusecs water was being released into the river from the riverbed powerhouse and 23,081 cusecs from canal head powerhouse," an SSNNL official said.

#WATCH | Gujarat: 15 gates of Sardar Sarovar Dam, Narmada have been opened due to increased water flow. pic.twitter.com/15DDlKkSuu

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024

As of Sunday, 206 reservoirs in Gujarat held 3.64 lakh million cubic feet of water, which is 65 per cent of their total storage capacity. Of these, 72 reservoirs were placed on high alert, and 15 were on alert due to the significant rise in water levels, officials also said.

The state has received 81.81 per cent of its average annual rainfall so far this season, with south Gujarat recording 97.52 per cent, Kutch 90.18 per cent, and Saurashtra 84.92 per cent.

As per SEOC data, the north and east central regions of Gujarat have received low rainfall as compared to the southern part and Saurashtra-Kutch. So far North Gujarat has received 64.91 per cent of average annual rainfall, while east-central Gujarat has received 68.84 per cent.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted 'heavy to very heavy' rain, with isolated 'extremely heavy' downpours in south Gujarat districts, including Vadodara, Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, and in Amreli and Bhavnagar in the Saurashtra region through Tuesday morning. 'Heavy to very heavy' rain with isolated 'extremely heavy' showers is also predicted for Anand, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Dwarka, and Kutch districts on Tuesday.