IMD Issues Red Alert for Extremely Heavy Rain in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Other Gujarat Districts on July 31

Gandhinagar: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting an increase in rainfall activity across Gujarat over the next few days, the state government has directed all departments and district administrations to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness for any emergency situation.

A meeting of the Weather Watch Group was held at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana to review the state’s preparedness for heavy rainfall and possible flood situations during the monsoon.

According to the IMD forecast, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi and Dang districts are under a red alert for July 31, with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall likely. Several districts in the Saurashtra region have been placed under an orange alert for the same day.

For July 29 and 30, the IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat and several districts of South Gujarat. On August 1, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in North Gujarat, where an orange alert has also been issued.

During the meeting, Makwana reviewed disaster preparedness measures and instructed all concerned departments to map their available manpower, equipment and emergency response teams so that they can be deployed immediately whenever required.

To minimise damage caused by strong winds and heavy rain, the Relief Commissioner directed the Roads and Buildings Department to coordinate with municipal corporations and municipalities to immediately remove unsafe hoardings, banners and dilapidated structures.

He also stressed the need for timely dissemination of weather warnings and disaster alerts to people at the grassroots level, particularly those living in mud houses, slums and other vulnerable settlements, who are most likely to be affected during extreme weather events.

Makwana noted that Gujarat is witnessing highly uneven rainfall this monsoon. While districts such as Devbhumi Dwarka have received comparatively low rainfall, Valsad and Navsari have already recorded nearly 100 per cent of their seasonal rainfall. He also cited the recent extreme rainfall event in Dholka, where around 20 inches of rain fell within just two hours, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the current monsoon.

Keeping such conditions in view, the state government has instructed all district collectors, disaster management authorities and emergency response agencies to remain fully prepared for any eventuality.

The Relief Commissioner also appreciated the coordinated efforts of the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Coast Guard and the Army, saying their timely response had helped save thousands of lives. He said more than 53,600 people were shifted to safer locations before floodwaters inundated parts of South Gujarat, while over 9,600 people trapped in flood-affected areas were successfully rescued.

Officials from the NDRF, SDRF, Coast Guard, Navy, Health, Forest, Agriculture, Revenue and other departments attended the Weather Watch Group meeting. DeshGujarat