Gujarat floods 2025: 4,000+ evacuated, dam gates opened as heavy rain batters state
Synopsis
Gujarat's monsoon crisis on 1 August is not a single event but a simultaneous multi-district emergency — with dams at capacity, rivers breaching low-lying zones, and over 4,000 people displaced in Surat alone. With IMD forecasting more rain for six districts including Ahmedabad, the state's flood machinery is being tested at full stretch.
Key Takeaways
More than 4,000 residents evacuated in Surat district alone as the district recorded eight inches of rain in 24 hours .
NDRF's 6th Battalion rescued 114 people — including 17 children — from Giriraj Nagar Society in Bilimora, Navsari .
Machhu-2 Dam in Morbi opened 4 gates to release 14,058 cusecs ; high alert issued for Morbi city and 32 villages .
Bhogavo-2 and Nayka dams also overflowed, triggering alerts across Surendranagar district .
Around 40 metres of Tapi riverside road in Surat's Mota Varachha collapsed; 250-300 vehicles diverted.
IMD has forecast heavy rain for Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Botad, Anand and Surendranagar on Saturday.
Gujarat's flood response machinery shifted into high gear on Saturday, 1 August, as relentless monsoon rainfall triggered mass evacuations, dam releases, road closures and the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams across multiple districts. More than 4,000 residents have been moved to safety so far, with authorities warning that the situation remains fluid.
State-Level Review and Command
Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Jayanti Ravi visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar and chaired a high-level review meeting with officials to assess rainfall conditions and flood preparedness statewide. All district collectors were directed to maintain close surveillance of low-lying areas, rivers and reservoirs, and to ensure emergency response plans are in place.
Evacuations Across Districts
In Surat district, more than 4,000 residents from flood-affected rural areas were evacuated, with SDRF teams deployed in Olpad and Mandvi. The district recorded approximately eight inches of rain in the past 24 hours. Rising water levels in the Kim River forced the evacuation of residents from low-lying pockets of Olpad and Mangrol, with the District Collector urging riverbank communities to relocate without delay.
Earlier on Saturday, more than 240 residents from Abrama, Velanja, Amroli, Umra and Kathor were shifted to a relief centre at Velanja Primary School, where food, drinking water, electricity and medical facilities have been arranged.
In Navsari district, an NDRF team from the 6th Battalion rescued 114 people — including 56 men, 41 women and 17 children, along with two livestock — from Giriraj Nagar Society in Bilimora. The operation, launched on Friday evening, concluded late that night on directions from the district administration.
In Chhota Udepur district, 49 residents from Motavanta and Rajvasana villages in Bodeli taluka were moved to safer locations. In Vadodara district, rising levels in the Dhadhar River prompted the evacuation of 79 residents from Rajli and Behrampura villages in Dabhoi taluka to a local school, with food and essential supplies arranged.
Dam Releases and High Alerts
Machhu-2 Dam in Morbi reached full capacity, prompting officials to open four gates by six feet to discharge 14,058 cusecs of water into the Machhu River, even as the reservoir continued receiving an inflow of 14,638 cusecs. A high alert was issued for Morbi city and 32 downstream villages.
In Surendranagar district, Nayka Dam also reached full capacity, with officials advising residents of Gautamgadh, Kukda, Godavari, Shekhpar and other riverside areas to avoid riverbeds and secure livestock and belongings. Bhogavo-2 (Dholidhaja) Dam overflowed, triggering alerts for Surendranagar city, Wadhwan, Joravarnagar, Ratanpar and several nearby villages.
In Morbi district, the Jikiyari causeway was closed following water releases from Ghodadhroi Dam. In Bharuch district, overtopping at the Bhukhi creek forced the closure of the Vagra-Dayadra road from the Argama side, while flooding also shut the Trankal-Aladar road in Vagra taluka. Officials confirmed that alternative routes remained operational and no villages had been cut off.
Infrastructure Damage and Road Closures
Heavy rain caused significant infrastructure damage in Surat, where approximately 40 metres of the Tapi riverside road near Savji Korat Bridge in Mota Varachha collapsed and developed major cracks. Deputy Divisional Warden Ashish Vadodariya and his team barricaded a 100-metre stretch of the road and diverted between 250 and 300 vehicles to an alternative route, averting any untoward incident.
Reservoir Levels and IMD Forecast
The Irrigation Department reported that Umiyasagar Dam in Jamnagar district stood at 54.69 per cent capacity, while Ranjitsagar Dam was at 36.13 per cent. The district's 25 major reservoirs together held 1,510.32 million cubic feet of water, equivalent to 11.51 per cent of total storage capacity. Jamnagar has received an average of 7.7 inches of rainfall this monsoon, with Jamjodhpur taluka recording the highest at 11.37 inches.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall on Saturday in Ahmedabad, Anand, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Botad and Bhavnagar districts. With reservoir levels rising and more rain on the way, authorities have urged residents across affected zones to stay alert and comply with official advisories.
Point of View
Navsari, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur and Morbi — points to a monsoon season that is testing the state's disaster infrastructure at multiple nodes at once. The Machhu-2 dam release is a particular flashpoint: the Machhu River was the site of the catastrophic 1979 dam failure that killed thousands, and any high-alert notification downstream carries historical weight that officials would do well not to understate. The broader question is whether Gujarat's early-warning and evacuation machinery — which appears to have functioned without reported fatalities in this cycle — can sustain that record as IMD forecasts more heavy rain for six additional districts. Infrastructure damage, such as the Tapi riverside road collapse in Surat, signals that the physical toll of repeated high-intensity rain events is accumulating faster than repair cycles can absorb.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been evacuated in Gujarat due to floods on 1 August 2025?
More than 4,000 residents were evacuated in Surat district alone, with additional evacuations in Navsari, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur and other districts. In total, hundreds more were moved to relief centres across the state as rivers and reservoirs swelled.
Why was a high alert issued for Morbi city?
Machhu-2 Dam in Morbi reached full capacity, prompting officials to open four gates by six feet and release 14,058 cusecs of water into the Machhu River. A high alert was issued for Morbi city and 32 downstream villages to ensure residents remain vigilant.
What did the NDRF rescue operation in Bilimora involve?
An NDRF team from the 6th Battalion rescued 114 people — 56 men, 41 women and 17 children, along with two livestock — from Giriraj Nagar Society in Bilimora, Navsari district. The operation began Friday evening and concluded later that night.
Which districts are under IMD heavy rain forecast on 1 August?
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall for Ahmedabad, Anand, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Botad and Bhavnagar districts on Saturday. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely across all affected zones.
Was any infrastructure damaged by the Gujarat floods?
Yes. Around 40 metres of the Tapi riverside road near Savji Korat Bridge in Mota Varachha, Surat, collapsed and developed major cracks. Deputy Divisional Warden Ashish Vadodariya barricaded a 100-metre stretch and diverted 250 to 300 vehicles to an alternative route. Road closures were also reported in Bharuch district due to overtopping at Bhukhi creek.
