Gujarat Rains : Train Services Paralyzed on Third Day

Surat : Heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in Gujarat, leading to severe disruptions in transportation and daily life. On Wednesday, the third consecutive day of torrential downpours, tens of thousands of passengers in Surat and across southern Gujarat found themselves stranded as flooding and waterlogged tracks forced the cancellation of 22 trains bound for Vadodara, Anand, Mumbai, and Bhuj. Among the canceled services were major trains like the Tejas Express and Karnavati Express heading to Mumbai, as well as the Ekta Nagar Express and Anand-Vadodara MEMU trains.

The situation is dire, with a total of 50 train services already canceled for August 28 and 29, further straining the region’s public transportation. The relentless rains have led to flooding in many areas, particularly affecting the city and district of Vadodara.

Rail services have been hit hard by the ongoing deluge. Over the past few days, more than 60 trains were canceled on August 26 and 27 due to the heavy rains, with only 46 trains managing to operate through alternative routes via Anand-Godhra. However, the flooding has particularly impacted the Ahmedabad-Mumbai railway corridor. Several key trains, including the Bhuj-Gandhinagar Capital Express and Dadar Bhuj Express, have been canceled due to severe waterlogging in the Malia Miyana section of Bhuj. The situation could worsen, as authorities have issued a red alert for more heavy rain in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, potentially leading to further cancellations.

The persistent downpours on Tuesday left much of Gujarat inundated, with rainfall ranging from 5 to 10 inches recorded in 245 talukas. This marks the third consecutive year that Gujarat has received 100 percent of its seasonal rainfall, with the state currently experiencing 32 percent more rainfall than the average. In central Gujarat, Vadodara city has faced some of the worst conditions, with 80 percent of the city submerged after ten years of relative calm.

The situation has forced the cancellation of all major Lok Melas in Saurashtra, a significant cultural disruption for the region. Notably, all zones in Gujarat, except for the northern regions, have received full rainfall, with the current levels being 60 percent higher than in 2021.