South Gujarat Flood Crisis: 43 Inches Rain Batters Umargam

SURAT :  South Gujarat is battling one of its worst monsoon disasters in decades after relentless rainfall triggered widespread flooding, bridge collapses, transport disruptions and massive rescue operations across Valsad, Surat and Navsari districts. With Umargam recording an unprecedented 43 inches of rainfall in just 28 hours, authorities have intensified rescue efforts as thousands remain affected.

Three NDRF teams and five SDRF teams are currently deployed in Valsad district of South Gujarat to assist the district administration in rescue, relief, and evacuation operations amid the heavy rainfall situation. Two additional NDRF teams from New Delhi will arrive this evening.

In addition, a team of 70 Army personnel, along with five boats and a Fire Department team of 25 personnel, is being deployed to Valsad. They will assist the district administration in carrying out rescue and relief operations amid the heavy rainfall situation.

Valsad district bore the brunt of the downpour. Umargam received 35.67 inches since Wednesday, while Kaprada recorded 29 inches, Nanapodha 25.31 inches, and Dharampur 20 inches. Between 1 am and 6 am, Umargam alone received 17.44 inches of rain. On Thursday morning, Umarpada in Surat received 11 inches between 6 am and noon.

The flooding submerged residential areas across Surat. Several housing societies, including the Saroli Police Station, were inundated after overflowing creeks breached their banks. In Saniya Hemad village, the Khodiyar Mata temple disappeared under 10 to 15 feet of floodwater, forcing residents to remain indoors.

The crisis severely disrupted transport. A bridge connecting Sanjan and Humran in Umargam collapsed due to the swollen river, cutting off road connectivity. Waterlogging on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai railway route led to the cancellation of seven trains, leaving more than 50,000 passengers stranded in Navsari.

“The administration, police and rescue agencies have been working throughout the night. Around 1,200 people have been rescued in Valsad, while 1,500 residents have been shifted to safer locations in Surat,” Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana said.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel deployed ministers and senior IAS officers to the worst-hit districts for on-ground monitoring. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the Chief Minister and assured full support from the Centre for rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Currently, three NDRF and five SDRF teams are operating in Surat, while two NDRF and four SDRF teams are deployed in Valsad. Additional teams are being rushed to the affected areas. Authorities have also kept the Air Force and Coast Guard on standby if air rescue becomes necessary.

The IMD has issued a red alert for 11 districts, including Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Dang and Vadodara, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. Officials have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, as more than 300 roads remain closed, over 200 ST bus routes have been suspended, and South Gujarat continues to face an evolving flood emergency.