Gujarat rains: Highways shut, Machhu-2 Dam releases 49,000 cusecs, dozens evacuated
Synopsis
Gujarat's monsoon surge on 25 July wasn't just rain — it was a multi-district emergency. With Machhu-2 Dam releasing 49,000 cusecs toward Morbi, Dholidhaja Dam at full capacity, two major highways shut, and overnight boat rescues underway, the state administration was stretched across Patan, Surendranagar, Dang, and Morbi simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Sanathal-Bagodara and Ahmedabad-Viramgam highways closed on 25 July due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging.
Machhu-2 Dam gates opened, releasing 49,000 cusecs into the river; flood warnings issued for Morbi city and 20 villages .
Dholidhaja Dam in Surendranagar reached 100% capacity; warnings issued for 14 downstream areas .
35 people from Chhansara village , Patan district , evacuated to a local school as a precaution.
Six people stranded in Kochada village , Surendranagar , rescued by boat between 1:10 am and 2:30 am .
Power and mobile services disrupted in Dang district ; DGVCL and BSNL teams deployed for restoration.
Heavy rainfall across Gujarat on Saturday, 25 July forced authorities to shut key highways, open dam gates releasing 49,000 cusecs of water, evacuate families from flood-prone villages, and conduct overnight boat rescues — with the state administration maintaining a 24-hour alert across multiple districts.
Highway Closures and Traffic Diversions
The Sanathal-Bagodara Highway between Changodar and Bavla was suspended for traffic due to waterlogging, with motorists directed to use the Dholera Express Highway via the Vejalka–Bagodara stretch as an alternate route. Vehicles coming from Rajkot were also rerouted accordingly.
The Ahmedabad-Viramgam Highway was separately closed owing to excessive water flow, with authorities declaring the stretch between Sanand and Viramgam unsafe in both directions. Officials urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and cooperate with police and emergency response teams.
Evacuations and Overnight Rescue Operations
In Patan district, 35 people from 10 families in Chhansara village of Santalpur taluka were shifted to the local village school as a precautionary measure. In Surendranagar district, a joint rescue operation by the Patan Fire Team and local administration was launched at 1:10 am in Kochada village of Patdi taluka, where six people had been stranded. All six were evacuated safely by boat, with the operation concluding at 2:30 am.
Machhu-2 Dam Discharge and Flood Warnings
Authorities issued flood warnings after announcing that the gates of Machhu-2 Dam would be opened on Saturday, discharging an estimated 49,000 cusecs of water into the river following a rise in reservoir levels caused by heavy upstream rainfall. Residents of low-lying areas downstream were advised to vacate riverbeds and move livestock and belongings to higher ground.
The warning covers Morbi city and 20 villages in Morbi taluka. This comes amid recurring flood anxiety in Morbi — a district that witnessed a catastrophic dam collapse in 2022 — making official advisories here carry particular weight.
Dholidhaja Dam at Full Capacity
The Dholidhaja Dam in Surendranagar district reached 100 per cent capacity due to excess inflow from the Narmada Canal. Authorities warned residents in 14 downstream areas — including Surendranagar, Ratanpar, Joravarnagar, Wadhwan, Memka, Bhadiyad, Nana Kerala, Sankli, Shiyani, Natvargadh, Daulatpar, Ramrajpar, Jambu, and Parnala — to avoid the riverbed and secure property and livestock.
Power and Connectivity Disruptions in Dang
In Dang district, heavy rain disrupted electricity and mobile communication services. Teams from DGVCL and BSNL were deployed on a priority basis to restore power and connectivity. Restoration work was focused on BSNL towers at Subir, Shabaridham, Pimpri, Hanvatchond, and Sakarpatal, as well as the Waghai telephone exchange.
Officials reiterated appeals to residents to follow all advisories, avoid unnecessary movement, and not act on rumours as rainfall continued to affect several districts across the state.
Point of View
Highway shutdowns, and multi-district evacuations on a single day reveals the thin margin between preparedness and crisis in Gujarat's monsoon management. The Machhu-2 discharge toward Morbi is particularly significant given the district's 2022 dam collapse — flood advisories here are not routine. What warrants scrutiny is whether early-warning systems and pre-monsoon desilting of downstream riverbeds were completed on schedule, as the speed with which both Machhu-2 and Dholidhaja reached critical levels suggests upstream water management may need a harder look.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which highways were closed in Gujarat due to heavy rain on 25 July?
The Sanathal-Bagodara Highway between Changodar and Bavla, and the Ahmedabad-Viramgam Highway between Sanand and Viramgam, were both closed on 25 July due to heavy rainfall and unsafe water levels. Motorists were directed to use the Dholera Express Highway via the Vejalka–Bagodara stretch as an alternative.
Why was the Machhu-2 Dam opened and which areas are at risk?
The Machhu-2 Dam gates were opened on 25 July after heavy upstream rainfall raised reservoir levels, necessitating a discharge of 49,000 cusecs into the river. Flood warnings have been issued for Morbi city and 20 villages in Morbi taluka, with residents advised to vacate riverbeds and secure livestock.
How many people were evacuated in Gujarat on 25 July?
At least 35 people from 10 families in Chhansara village, Patan district, were evacuated to a local school as a precaution. Separately, six people stranded in Kochada village, Surendranagar district, were rescued by boat in an overnight operation that ran from 1:10 am to 2:30 am.
What is the status of Dholidhaja Dam in Surendranagar?
The Dholidhaja Dam in Surendranagar district reached 100 per cent capacity due to excess inflow from the Narmada Canal. Authorities have warned residents of 14 downstream areas — including Surendranagar, Ratanpar, Joravarnagar, and Wadhwan — to avoid riverbeds and move property to safety.
Which districts in Gujarat were affected by heavy rain on 25 July 2025?
The districts most severely affected include Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, Patan, Morbi, and Dang. Dang district additionally reported disruptions to electricity and mobile communication services, with DGVCL and BSNL teams deployed for restoration.
