North Gujarat Drenched as Monsoon Fury Shifts; Air Force, Army Intensify Rescue Operations

AHMEDABAD : After battering South Gujarat and Ahmedabad for days, the southwest monsoon has now unleashed its fury on North Gujarat. Torrential rain pounded several districts on Thursday morning, while flood-hit regions in South Gujarat continued to battle rising waters, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted transport. The state administration has intensified rescue operations with the deployment of the Army, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF teams.

Between 6 am and 10 am on July 24, Deodar in Banaskantha district recorded 6 inches of rainfall in just four hours. Bhabhar received 5 inches, while Radhanpur and Santalpur in Patan district recorded 3 inches each, indicating that the monsoon system has shifted towards North Gujarat.

In flood-ravaged Navsari district, four NDRF and SDRF teams are already on the ground. A special Army battalion has also been deployed to carry out rescue operations in villages, including Dhamdachha. In a major operation, the Indian Air Force airlifted more than 30 people stranded at a shrimp farm near Bhat village in Gandevi taluka, preventing a possible tragedy.

Authorities have also launched search operations for two persons missing after their car overturned in floodwaters near Gondal-Jetpur National Highway in Rajkot. In another incident, rescue teams are searching for Vikesh Patel, who was swept away after falling from a bridge over the overflowing Kaveri River in Vansda.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level emergency meeting in Gandhinagar and directed officials to accelerate rescue and relief operations. He also instructed authorities to clear waterlogged roads in Ahmedabad without delay. Meanwhile, the Director General of Police directed all district police chiefs to remain on high alert and actively assist in rescue and traffic management.

Heavy rainfall over the past two days has severely impacted Gujarat. On July 23 alone, over 200 talukas received rain, with Chikhli in Navsari and Dholka in Ahmedabad recording 18 inches. So far, around 38,000 people have been rescued, including 10,000 in Navsari and 12,000 in Valsad.

“All rescue agencies have been instructed to remain on maximum alert. Every effort is being made to ensure public safety,” officials said.

Despite some relief as the Ambika and Kaveri rivers receded, widespread damage remains. More than 1,000 vehicles have been washed away in Gandevi taluka, while nearly 3,000 families remain stranded in the Shantadevi area, where civic teams are delivering food and essential supplies.

Rail connectivity has also taken a severe hit. Waterlogging on tracks near Gholvad, Umargam and Bilimora has brought Western Railway services on the busy Surat-Mumbai route to a standstill. Since Wednesday night, 20 additional train services have been cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at Surat railway station.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Panchmahal, Mahisagar and Dahod, while 13 districts remain under orange alert, warning of more heavy to very heavy rainfall across Gujarat.