Upto 18.5 inches Rain lashes Valsad district; 284 roads closed, over 200 evacuated

Valsad: Heavy rain since yesterday has disrupted normal life across Valsad district in South Gujarat. Parts of the district have received around 18.5 inches of rainfall in the last 30 hours, from 6 am on July 21 to 12 noon on July 22. The highest downpour was recorded in Kaprada taluka.

Amid the India Meteorological Department’s forecast and Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall, several parts of the district have been inundated. Water levels in rivers are rising continuously, low-lying areas have been flooded, and, as a precautionary measure, 284 roads have been closed to vehicular traffic. The district administration, police, fire brigade, and NDRF teams have been placed on high alert.

According to data from the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), Kaprada in Valsad district recorded the highest rainfall in Gujarat during the last 24 hours ending 6 am today, at 397 mm (15.63 inches). Nanapondha received 280 mm (11.02 inches), Pardi 238 mm (9.37 inches), Valsad 211 mm (8.31 inches), Vapi 185 mm (7.28 inches), Dharampur 172 mm (6.77 inches), and Umargam 133 mm (5.24 inches). Several talukas in Valsad district were among the highest rainfall recipients in the state.

Heavy rain continues from 6 am to 12 pm

According to SEOC rainfall data, heavy rain continued across the district today between 6 am and 12 pm. During these six hours, Valsad city recorded 147 mm (5.79 inches) of rainfall, followed by Pardi with 119 mm (4.69 inches), Umargam with 114 mm (4.49 inches), Kaprada with 75 mm, Nanapondha with 73 mm, Vapi with 61 mm, and Dharampur with 52 mm.

Several low-lying areas, including Tithal Road, the Pitching area, Kashmir Nagar, Chipwad, and Pardi, have been flooded. Continuous rainfall in the upper reaches has led to a steady rise in the inflow into the Auranga River, increasing the water level at the Auranga Water Works dam.

284 roads closed; police deployed and barricading in place

According to Disaster Mamlatdar Hakubha Kaklotar, a total of 284 roads across the district have been closed to traffic as a safety measure due to heavy rain and waterlogging. Police personnel have been deployed at all affected locations, and barricades have been erected to prevent people from using flooded and dangerous roads.

Road closures by taluka:

• Kaprada – 64
• Pardi – 59
• Nanapondha – 56
• Valsad – 51
• Dharampur – 44
• Umargam – 7
• Dharampur–Vansda Road – 3

Bus stranded in Nanapondha, 16 passengers rescued

A private bus carrying 16 passengers got stranded in a strong water current in the Nanapondha area amid the heavy rain. Local police, the village sarpanch, and local swimmers jointly carried out a rescue operation and safely evacuated all 16 passengers.

In another incident, a car was swept away after water overflowed onto a bridge over the Man River near Gopi village in Dharampur taluka. However, the driver was rescued safely following a prompt rescue operation.

More than 200 people shifted from Kashmir Nagar

The rising water level of the Auranga River, which flows through Valsad city, caused flooding in the Kashmir Nagar area. More than 200 residents were shifted to safety at a nearby primary school.

People have also been evacuated from the riverbank areas of Lilapor and Kolai Phalia. Traffic has been suspended near Bhagdakhunt after water overflowed from the pitching area.

Auranga River level rises; high tide warning issued

The water level of the Auranga River at Bhairavi Bridge in Valsad has reached 4.5 metres. Meanwhile, the administration has urged residents of coastal and low-lying areas to remain vigilant as a high tide was expected between 7:30 am and 10:30 am.

The municipality has been continuously alerting residents through public announcement vehicles, and all preparations have been made for further evacuation if required.

Administration appeals for caution

The district administration is closely monitoring the situation. Mamlatdar Vikas Vaghela and municipal officials have appealed to residents to avoid venturing out unless necessary and not to cross flooded roads, bridges, or overtopping stretches. People living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas have also been urged to remain alert and follow the instructions issued by the administration. DeshGujarat