Monsoon Havoc Hits Surat: Schools Closed, City Underwater

Surat, Gujarat — The monsoon has unleashed its full force on the diamond city of Surat, transforming the bustling city into a watery expanse as relentless heavy rainfall continues since the early hours of Monday morning. The sudden and intense downpour has prompted a majority of schools to declare a holiday for both students and teachers, with the collector even issuing an advisory for early dismissal of morning shifts and leave for afternoon shifts.

Surat received about 9 inches of rainfall since 8 am on Monday. Roads in all areas of Surat were submerged in knee deep waters as pedestrians and vehicle owners were stuck in huge traffic jams and in the water. 

The meteorological department had predicted a vigorous start to the monsoon, and Surat is certainly experiencing it with a bang. Following a night of steady rain, the city woke up to a continuous deluge, leading to widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas. The impact on daily life is palpable, with commuters struggling through submerged roads and residents navigating inundated neighborhoods.

“It’s like rivers are flowing on our streets,” exclaimed Ramesh Patel, a long-time resident of Morabhagal, an area particularly hard-hit by the flooding. “Every year we hope for better infrastructure, but it seems like the same story repeats itself. The water level here is continuously rising.” Indeed, scenes of roads resembling waterways are emerging from almost all corners of the city, highlighting the perennial challenge of urban flooding in Surat. The Ashwini Kumar Garnalu underpass has already been closed due to severe waterlogging, further disrupting traffic flow.

Despite assurances from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) regarding improved drainage systems, the current situation paints a familiar picture. Corporation teams have been deployed across various areas, working to clear waterlogging in Katargam, Singanpore four-way road, Varachha, Udhna three-way road, and parts of Pandesara. The combination of heavy rain and strong winds is exacerbating the problem, creating a sense of a city literally awash.

Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC)- Surat Division suspended all ST bus services to and from Surat Central Bus Station. Drivers were instructed to stop their routes and take their vehicles to nearby safe places and not to take any buses in waterlogged areas, buses entering Surat city from Kamrej and Kadodara were directed to bypass Surat Central Bus Station. An estimated 200 trips of Surat Division as well as other divisions have been cancelled. The control room at the ST divisional office is functioning 24 hours a day.

The weir-cum-causeway was closed for vehicular traffic by the Surat Municipal Corporation as the water level reached 6 feet. Due to continuous rains in the city, SMC Commissioner Shalini Agarwal is continuously monitoring the situation from the ICCC (Integrated Control and Command Center). Necessary instructions are being given to the concerned officials to take immediate action.

“We were hopeful that this year would be different,” shared Priya Sharma, a parent whose child’s school declared a holiday. “While the rain offers a much-needed respite from the heat, the disruption it causes, especially for children, is significant. I just hope the administration has a robust plan if the intensity increases.”

The explosive arrival of the monsoon has undoubtedly provided relief from the pre-monsoon heat and humidity. However, for residents and motorists in low-lying areas, the joy is overshadowed by the immediate hardships of waterlogged homes and impassable roads. The coming days will be crucial. If the intensity of rainfall persists or increases, the situation could escalate, necessitating urgent and comprehensive preparedness from the city administration to mitigate further disruption and ensure public safety.