Viral Video Leads to Airlift Rescue of 30+ Stranded People in Navsari

Ahmedabad: Technology and social media are proving to be a lifeline for many people during disasters. Besides helplines, the Gujarat Police has been actively responding to appeals for assistance posted on social media amid the flood-like situation caused by heavy rains in South Gujarat districts, including Valsad and Navsari.

The Gujarat Police is continuously monitoring social media platforms for distress posts. After identifying such appeals, the police traces the victims’ precise locations and shares the information with the concerned district police and relief agencies, enabling rescue teams to reach the affected areas quickly and evacuate people to safety.

Viral Video Leads to Airlift Rescue of 30+ Stranded People in Navsarihttps://t.co/6Q9yqn1A7f pic.twitter.com/GUrk12fk16

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) July 24, 2026

In one such operation, more than 30 people stranded at a shrimp pond in Bhat village of Gandevi taluka in Navsari district were airlifted to safety with the help of an Indian Coast Guard helicopter. The group had been trapped after the water level in the Ambika River rose sharply on Thursday.

The stranded people recorded a video appealing for help, which quickly went viral on social media. The Gujarat Police promptly took cognizance of the post and alerted the concerned authorities. With coordinated efforts by the district administration, disaster control room, Indian Coast Guard, and other agencies, all the stranded people were successfully rescued through an airlift operation on Friday.

The Gujarat Police’s GP SMASH (Social Media Monitoring, Analysis and Support Hub) team has been operating in 24×7 alert mode across the state. So far, the team has acted on more than 15 social media posts seeking assistance, sharing precise location details with the concerned district authorities and making a significant contribution to ongoing relief and rescue operations. DeshGujarat