Gujarat floods: 22,000+ evacuated in Valsad, Navsari amid Red Alert for 11 districts
Synopsis
Gujarat's flood crisis escalated sharply on 23 July, with over 22,000 people evacuated from Valsad and Navsari alone after record single-day rainfall — Khergam recorded 16 inches in just 10 hours. With a Red Alert across 11 districts and Army columns now on the ground, this is among the most intensive flood mobilisations the state has seen in recent monsoon seasons.
Key Takeaways
More than 22,000 people evacuated across Gujarat as of 23 July , with 12,000+ in Valsad and 10,000+ in Navsari .
One person died after drowning in Tapi district ; over 250 stranded individuals rescued across both districts.
Red Alert issued for 11 districts ; Orange Alert for 7 more , including Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Khergam (Navsari) received 16 inches of rain between 6 am and 4 pm on 23 July — among the highest single-location totals.
4 additional NDRF teams airlifted by the Centre; 2 Army columns deployed to Valsad and Navsari.
PM Modi called CM Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation and assured full central government support.
More than 22,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations across Gujarat as state and central authorities scaled up rescue and relief operations following extremely heavy rainfall that has pummelled large parts of South and Central Gujarat over the past 24 hours. One person has died after drowning in Tapi district, according to the state government.
Scale of Evacuations
The bulk of the displacement has been concentrated in two districts. More than 12,000 residents have been moved to safety in Valsad district, while over 10,000 have been evacuated in neighbouring Navsari district. Rescue teams have additionally brought more than 200 stranded individuals to safety in Valsad and over 50 in Navsari, according to state government figures.
What the Government Said
Government spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani confirmed that both state and central governments were operating in tandem. Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 23 July to obtain a firsthand assessment of the situation and assured full central support. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has remained in continuous contact with the Chief Minister and state administration while tracking developments.
Chief Minister Patel, alongside Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Dr Jayanti Ravi, Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana, and Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) Chief Executive Officer Dhaval Patel, has been monitoring the crisis in real time from the State Emergency Operations Centre.
Rainfall Intensity and Alerts
A Red Alert has been issued for 11 districts — Dahod, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari and Valsad — where extremely heavy rainfall was expected to continue through the night. An Orange Alert is in effect for Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Kheda and Anand districts.
Between 6 am and 4 pm on 23 July, Khergam in Navsari recorded 16 inches of rainfall, Umarpada in Surat logged 15 inches, and Umargam in Valsad received 14 inches, according to Relief Commissioner Makwana.
Rescue Forces Deployed
Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and five State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were already operational in Valsad. Four additional NDRF teams, provided by the central government, were being airlifted to Surat — with two teams to be deployed in Valsad, one in Navsari, and one in Surat. Two Army columns have also been dispatched to Valsad and Navsari to bolster rescue efforts.
Public Safety Advisory
Minister Vaghani urged residents to avoid crossing rivers, streams, or causeways when water levels are elevated. Authorities have asked citizens to follow official advisories, disregard unverified information circulating on social media, and contact emergency helpline numbers issued by the administration if assistance is required. With more rain forecast, officials warn that the situation in several districts could worsen before conditions improve.
Point of View
Four NDRF teams airlifted within hours, Army columns mobilised — reflects lessons from Gujarat's past flood mismanagement, but the real test is last-mile reach in rural Valsad and Navsari where road access is often the first casualty of extreme rain. Sixteen inches of rainfall in ten hours at a single location is not a routine monsoon event; it points to the kind of hyper-local precipitation intensity that standard district-level alerts routinely underestimate. The one fatality reported so far may not reflect the final toll, and authorities would do well to get ahead of that uncertainty rather than manage optics.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been evacuated in Gujarat floods so far?
More than 22,000 people have been evacuated as of 23 July, with over 12,000 in Valsad district and more than 10,000 in Navsari district. Rescue teams have additionally brought over 250 stranded individuals to safety across both districts.
Which districts are under Red Alert in Gujarat due to heavy rainfall?
A Red Alert has been issued for 11 districts: Dahod, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari, and Valsad, where extremely heavy rainfall was expected to continue through the night of 23 July. An Orange Alert covers seven additional districts including Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Has anyone died in the Gujarat floods?
One person has died after drowning in Tapi district, according to the state government. The minister expressed condolences on behalf of the state government and urged people to avoid crossing flooded rivers and causeways.
What rescue forces have been deployed in Gujarat?
Three NDRF teams and five SDRF teams were already operational in Valsad. The central government airlifted four additional NDRF teams to Surat, to be split across Valsad, Navsari, and Surat. Two Army columns have also been dispatched to Valsad and Navsari to support ongoing rescue operations.
How much rainfall did Gujarat receive on 23 July?
Between 6 am and 4 pm on 23 July, Khergam in Navsari recorded 16 inches of rain, Umarpada in Surat logged 15 inches, and Umargam in Valsad received 14 inches, according to Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana.
