Schools shut as IMD issues red alert for heavy rain in Gujarat

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Gujarat, leading to school closures on Tuesday. Authorities evacuated 17,827 people and rescued 1,653 from flood-hit areas on Monday. The rainfall caused severe waterlogging in places like Vadodara and Ahmedabad, with some areas receiving up to 300 mm of rain. This led to traffic disruptions, submerged underpasses, and the closure of roads.

Rescue operations are in full swing, with 13 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams deployed. In Dhavana, a tractor carrying 17 people was swept away while crossing a bridge. Nine people managed to swim to safety, but eight remain missing. In another incident in Ghanad, five people in an auto-rickshaw were washed away; four were rescued, while a woman is still missing. In Butvada village, a herdsman was swept away.

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Government and relief efforts

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a meeting in Gandhinagar to assess the situation and spoke with officials from affected areas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted him to discuss the rainfall situation and assured additional support if needed. The monsoon has been active across the state, with Gujarat receiving 91.88% of its average seasonal rainfall. Out of 206 reservoirs, 59 are at full capacity, and seven rivers are overflowing. A high alert has been issued for 72 reservoirs.

Electricity has been restored in 6,977 of the 7,009 affected villages, and 523 roads remain closed in areas like Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Dang, and Chhota Udaipur. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is currently at 88.74% of its total storage capacity. Officials are still compiling data on casualties and continue to monitor the situation closely.