Gujarat floods: 38,653 evacuated, 5,547 rescued as Army, IAF deployed
Synopsis
Gujarat's monsoon crisis has crossed a critical threshold — over 38,000 people displaced and nearly 5,500 rescued, with the Indian Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard all simultaneously deployed. The scale of the multi-agency response, spanning 49 NDRF and SDRF teams across multiple districts, signals one of the state's most intensive flood relief operations in recent monsoon seasons.
Key Takeaways
38,653 people evacuated and 5,547 rescued across Gujarat as of 24 July , according to the SEOC, Gandhinagar .
49 NDRF and SDRF teams deployed statewide; 6 Indian Army teams stationed in Ahmedabad , Navsari , and Valsad .
The IAF is conducting rescue operations in Vadodara ; the Indian Coast Guard is carrying out aerial surveys over Navsari , Valsad , and Tapi .
Over 3 inches of rain recorded in Deodar taluka, Banaskantha within two hours; multiple other talukas logged over 2 inches .
DGP Gyanendra Singh Malik is scheduled to visit the SEOC to review relief and rescue operations.
More than 38,653 people have been evacuated to safer locations and 5,547 stranded residents rescued across Gujarat as of 24 July, with large-scale relief operations underway involving the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force (IAF), and the Indian Coast Guard in response to relentless monsoon rainfall battering the state's worst-hit districts. The figures were confirmed by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar.
Scale of Deployment
The state government has mobilised 49 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) across Gujarat. Six Indian Army teams have been positioned in Ahmedabad, Navsari, and Valsad — two teams per district. The IAF is conducting active rescue operations in Vadodara, while the Indian Coast Guard is carrying out aerial surveys over flood-affected zones in Navsari, Valsad, and Tapi districts.
Coast Guard teams are also conducting ground rescue operations in the flood-hit areas of Bilimora and Gandevi, shifting residents stranded by rising floodwaters to safety.
Rainfall Intensity and Affected Districts
Heavy rainfall continues to pound parts of north and central Gujarat. According to the SEOC, more than three inches of rain fell in Deodar taluka of Banaskantha district within a two-hour window. Rainfall exceeding two inches was also recorded in Bhabhar (Banaskantha), Dhansura (Aravalli district), Lilia (Amreli district), and Santalpur (Patan district).
Ground-Level Rescue Operations
Rescue missions continued across several districts on Friday. An SDRF team conducted an operation at Pandor village in Nanapondha taluka of Valsad district, while another team was deployed at Dharampuri in Vansda taluka of Navsari district.
In Ahmedabad district, three people trapped in rainwater late on Thursday night at Chaloda village in Dholka taluka were rescued by local administration with SDRF support. Separately, 20 passengers stranded aboard a bus between Sarbhat and Badarkha villages in Ahmedabad district were evacuated using a tractor. The Indian Coast Guard also launched a rescue operation at Meghar village in Gandevi taluka of Navsari district.
Government Review Underway
Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik is scheduled to visit the SEOC in Gandhinagar to review the situation across rain-affected districts and assess the progress of ongoing relief and rescue operations. Authorities said emergency agencies are continuously monitoring the evolving weather situation and responding to fresh incidents as they arise.
This comes amid a broader pattern of severe monsoon flooding across western India this season, with Gujarat among the states facing the most acute displacement pressure. Relief and rescue efforts remain active as conditions continue to develop.
Point of View
IAF, and Coast Guard alongside 49 NDRF and SDRF teams points to a crisis that has outpaced routine state-level disaster response. What the numbers do not yet reveal is the condition of those evacuated — temporary relief centres in flood-prone Gujarat have historically struggled with sanitation and medical access in the days following large-scale displacement. The DGP's scheduled review visit is a routine administrative step, but the real accountability question is whether early-warning infrastructure in districts like Banaskantha and Navsari is triggering evacuations proactively or only after residents are already stranded. Reactive rescue at this scale is a signal that pre-monsoon preparedness gaps persist.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been evacuated in Gujarat floods so far?
As of 24 July, a total of 38,653 people have been evacuated to safer locations across Gujarat, according to the State Emergency Operations Centre in Gandhinagar. An additional 5,547 stranded residents have been rescued from flood-affected areas.
Which districts in Gujarat are worst affected by the floods?
The worst-affected districts include Banaskantha, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Amreli, and Patan. Heavy rainfall exceeding two to three inches in short windows has been recorded across several talukas in these districts.
Which agencies are conducting rescue operations in Gujarat?
The Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NDRF, and SDRF are all deployed. The IAF is operating in Vadodara, the Coast Guard is conducting aerial surveys and ground rescues in Navsari, Valsad, and Tapi, and 49 NDRF and SDRF teams are spread across the state.
What is the current rainfall situation in Gujarat?
Heavy rainfall is continuing across north and central Gujarat. More than three inches fell in Deodar taluka of Banaskantha district within two hours. Rainfall above two inches was also recorded in Bhabhar, Dhansura, Lilia, and Santalpur.
What is the government doing to manage the flood crisis?
The Gujarat government has deployed 49 NDRF and SDRF teams and coordinated with central agencies including the Army, IAF, and Coast Guard. Director General of Police Gyanendra Singh Malik is scheduled to visit the SEOC in Gandhinagar to review relief operations and assess the ground situation.
