Hundreds of people stranded by severe flooding across Gujarat were evacuated on Saturday, 25 July, as teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Coast Guard, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and district authorities mounted large-scale rescue and relief operations across Ahmedabad, Navsari, Surat, Valsad, and several other flood-hit districts amid relentless monsoon conditions.

Navsari and Valsad Operations

In Navsari district, the 06 Battalion of the NDRF completed rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Gandevi and Amalsad talukas, with particular focus on Sarikhurd village and its surrounding localities. The battalion had been deployed on directions from the state government in coordination with the local administration.

A total of 120 people were pulled to safety from floodwaters — comprising 45 women, 35 men, and 40 children. An additional 43 residents living in vulnerable locations were relocated to safer shelters. The mission was declared complete by evening after all affected residents had received assistance.

Coast Guard Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) were simultaneously deployed in Valsad and Navsari districts, while another DRT was dispatched to the Bavla industrial area in Ahmedabad to assist in the evacuation of employees of Amazon Pvt. Ltd. in coordination with the SDRF. A separate team helped around 50 people stranded at Mackmohan Industries in Bavla.

Indian Coast Guard Aerial and Ground Response

The Indian Coast Guard reported that its ongoing flood relief operations had cumulatively saved 170 lives. A helicopter was launched from the Indian Coast Guard Air Station at Daman on Saturday morning to reach people stranded in inaccessible areas, while a Dornier fixed-wing aircraft conducted aerial reconnaissance to give ground teams and coordinating authorities a comprehensive picture of the flood situation.

Ahmedabad District: Village-by-Village Rescues

In Ahmedabad district, NDRF teams carried out multiple rescue operations across Dholka taluka through the day. At Maflipur village, a team arrived shortly after receiving information from the civil administration; the final rescue count at the location rose to 16 people — comprising six men, seven women, two children, and one head of cattle. Food packets were distributed before operations concluded at 5 pm on directions from the district administration.

At Bhetawada village, another NDRF team rescued 63 people, including 18 men, 26 women, and 19 children. In the Kalikund area of Dholka, personnel evacuated nine people from Rukshmani Society and distributed food packets before wrapping up at 4:30 pm. On the previous day, Friday, NDRF teams had already evacuated 103 people from Dholka taluka — 22 men, 44 women, and 37 children.

In a particularly sensitive rescue in Dholka, Team 3B of the 3rd Battalion of the NDRF evacuated a pregnant woman, identified as Sangeet, wife of Arun, from Bootbhawani village after she went into labour. She was safely transported to the Community Health Centre in Dholka for medical care.

Surat Rescue and Redeployment to Banaskantha

In Surat, Team 3G of the NDRF rescued 16 people — 14 men, one woman, and one child — during deployment at Kangaru Circle. Meanwhile, the 06 Battalion redeployed personnel in response to shifting flood conditions: acting on instructions from the State Emergency Operations Centre in Gandhinagar, Team 6H moved from Valsad to Banaskantha district, first reporting to the Collector's Office in Palanpur before being directed to Deesa taluka, where it reached the Mamlatdar Office on Saturday afternoon for further deployment.

Infrastructure Repairs in Tapi District

Flood-related infrastructure restoration also continued in Tapi district, where the Panchayat Roads and Buildings Department undertook emergency repairs on the damaged Sonagadh-Goda road near Nani Khervan following heavy monsoon rains. Officials filled potholes and restored the damaged stretch using metalwork and dumpers, reopening the road to vehicular traffic after repairs were completed. With monsoon conditions persisting across southern and central Gujarat, authorities have indicated that deployments will continue to be adjusted as the situation evolves.