Are 34 NDRF-SDRF Teams Ready for Gujarat's Heavy Rain?

Gandhinagar, June 25 (NationPress) As heavy rains batter various areas in Saurashtra, South, and Central Gujarat, the state government has intensified its disaster management and preparedness initiatives.

To address the escalating monsoon situation, a meeting of the Weather Watch Group was held at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar aimed at evaluating the current scenario and formulating a statewide emergency response plan.

Officials from vital departments participated in the review session, where detailed guidelines were provided to ensure a swift response to flood-like situations, waterlogging, or any rain-related crises.

During the update, representatives from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) disclosed that 34 teams from the NDRF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been strategically placed across different districts in Gujarat.

Furthermore, two additional teams are on standby for immediate deployment if the situation deteriorates.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in several regions of the state in the coming days.

In response, all administrative entities have been placed on high alert with instructions to monitor weather changes closely, maintain constant communication, and keep relief and rescue resources on standby.

Data from the State Emergency Operation Centre indicates that 66 mm of rainfall was recorded in just six hours in Surat from 6 A.M. to noon on Tuesday, exacerbating the already overwhelmed drainage systems.

Areas most affected include low-lying localities such as Puna Parvat Gam, Varachha, Kapodra, Katargam, Ved Road, and Jahangir Pura, where streets have turned into waterlogged pools and entire neighborhoods have been submerged.

The situation worsened with the overflow of Simada Creek, leading to flooding in regions like Valamnagar and Shubham Park Society, where water levels reached neck height. Emergency teams, including fire and medical services, were deployed to rescue stranded residents using boats and tractors.

Near the Sarthana Police Station, waterlogging continued into the second day, with water levels rising to waist height in adjacent residential areas.

Major routes, including the stretch from Kangaroo Circle through Maharana Pratap Chowk to Godadara, were rendered impassable due to flooding, causing significant inconvenience for commuters and schoolchildren.

Motorists, particularly those on two-wheelers, found themselves stuck in long traffic jams.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Jigna Parmar confirmed that two state highways and several housing societies had been impacted.

“Over 100 mm of rainfall has been recorded in numerous areas of the city. The situation remains under control, and no casualties have been reported. We urge public cooperation as we strive to mitigate the impact,” she stated.

The flooding has also affected surrounding districts. Bardoli received 124 mm, Umarpada 87 mm, Mandvi 81 mm, Mahuva 75 mm, and Kamrej 62 mm of rain.

Additional rainfall was noted in Palsana (45 mm), Olpad (27 mm), Mangrol (24 mm), and Chorasi (22 mm).

Across South Gujarat, the rainfall pattern remained severe, with Vapi in Valsad logging 130 mm, Pardi 89 mm, Kaprada 54 mm, and Umbergaon 43 mm.

In Tapi district, Vyara and Songadh recorded 110 mm and 105 mm, respectively. The highest rainfall was reported in Narmada district, where Nandod received 180 mm and Tilakwada 165 mm.