Gujarat's Surat city received 358 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning, triggering a flood-like situation in the creek area and widespread waterlogging that severely disrupted normal life. More than 3,400 people were rescued and over 3,800 shifted from low-lying areas, officials said.
Rainfall Data and Immediate Impact
According to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), Surat city recorded 14.09 inches (358 mm) of rain between 6 am on Tuesday and 6 am on Wednesday. Although the rain later halted, the situation remained dire in the city and surrounding areas. Videos on social media showed people wading through knee-deep water and pushing stalled two-wheelers through waterlogged roads. Water also entered houses, commercial complexes, and shops in many localities. Public transportation, including city bus services, was disrupted due to waterlogging. Ground-floor shops at Poddar Arcade in the Varachha area were entirely submerged.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
The Surat Municipal Corporation reported that due to waterlogging at 187 spots, a total of 3,489 people were rescued and 3,897 people were shifted to relief centres. Authorities distributed 12,218 food packets, 5,150 water bottles, and 400 milk packets. Surat Collector Tejas Parmar told PTI that areas near Khadi (creek), including Limbayat, Udhna, Varachha, and Kadodara, faced waterlogging. Food packets were also distributed in high-rise buildings in waterlogged areas. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and five teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for rescue operations. A post on the official X handle of the Surat Collector said, "Flood relief and rescue operations were carried out by NDRF Team 6 in Mithikhadi area of Surat, with female rescuers safely rescuing citizens." NDRF teams used boats to rescue people from chest-deep water, while police personnel carried children in their arms.
Safety Measures and District-Wide Holiday
Collector Parmar announced that as a safety measure, a holiday was declared on July 8 for all schools, colleges, and anganwadis in the district. He urged citizens not to step out unless absolutely necessary.
Residents and Business Owners Voice Grievances
Residents and business owners expressed disappointment over the severe waterlogging. Mahesh Gadhiya, a small businessman, told reporters, "My shop is located in Yash Plaza Complex on Varachha Road. All the shops in this area are flooded, and business owners like me are suffering financial losses due to the administration's failure to manage the situation." Ruchita Savat, a resident, said, "There is no electricity, food, or access to basic necessities... The ground floor of our residence is completely submerged. We have not even received food packets yet."
Rainfall in Surrounding Talukas
Surat district's Palasana taluka recorded 18.19 inches (462 mm) of rainfall between 6 am on Tuesday and 6 am on Wednesday, followed by Kamrej with 17.40 inches (442 mm). Bardoli received 9.37 inches (238 mm) and Ambika received 9.25 inches (235 mm) of rainfall.
CM Patel Reviews Situation and Announces Visit
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the rain situation across the state at a cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar and instructed ministers to visit rain-affected districts to oversee relief and rescue operations. Government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani said Patel himself would visit Surat and Valsad on Thursday. The ministers were asked to personally assess the preparedness of the district administration and disaster management machinery in rain-affected areas. The cabinet also condoled the deaths of 11 people in rain-related incidents, Vaghani added.
