Gujarat : Valsad Schools Shut as 175 mm Rain in Four Hours Triggers Red Alert

VALSAD : A spell of extremely heavy rainfall brought normal life to a standstill in Gujarat’s Valsad district on Friday, forcing authorities to declare a holiday in schools and colleges, close several major roads, and deploy disaster response teams as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) continued its red alert for the region till July 6.

Valsad taluka recorded a staggering 175 mm of rainfall between 6 am and 10 am on July 3, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas and prompting the district administration to launch emergency response measures. The district received 74.43 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending 6 am on July 3.

District Disaster Mamlatdar H.H. Kakalotar said the administration is closely monitoring the evolving situation under the guidance of District Collector Nitin Sangwan.

“In view of the IMD’s forecast of extremely heavy rainfall, the Disaster Management Control Room is monitoring the situation round the clock. NDRF teams are inspecting vulnerable areas, and all necessary precautions are being taken,” he said.

As a precautionary measure, the district administration declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Valsad, Dharampur and Kaprada talukas.

Heavy rains also disrupted road connectivity across the district. Three state highways, including the Valsad-Gundlav-Khergam-Achhwani-Pani Khadak Road, the Pardi-Velparva-Amli-Tarmalia Road, and the Umarsadi-Desaiwad Road, were closed after floodwaters overtopped causeways. Additionally, 36 district panchayat roads have been shut due to overflowing water.

Authorities have directed officials to install barricades and maintain police deployment at submerged causeways to prevent accidents.

Meanwhile, a buffalo grazing in Palgam village of Umargam taluka died after being electrocuted during the rains on Thursday evening. Officials of the South Gujarat Electricity Company immediately disconnected the power supply and initiated further action.

With more intense rainfall forecast over the coming days, the district administration has urged residents to remain indoors unless necessary, avoid flooded roads, and follow official weather advisories as emergency teams remain on high alert.