Gujarat floods: NDRF deployed in Surat, Valsad as South Gujarat braces for heavy rain
Synopsis
With a red alert over Surat and the Purna River rising in Navsari, South Gujarat's monsoon crisis on 22 July triggered one of the state's largest single-day flood responses — NDRF teams fanned out across four districts, over 100 people were evacuated, and the DGP personally chaired a statewide police review to counter both floodwaters and social media misinformation.
Key Takeaways
IMD issued a red alert for Surat on 22 July amid heavy rainfall across South Gujarat.
NDRF 06 Battalion deployed teams at Parvat Patiya and Udhana in Surat, and in multiple wards of Valsad district .
16 passengers rescued from a stranded bus on Koparli-Vapi road ; 3 workers rescued from a flooded STP plant in Valsad city.
A total of 100 people evacuated from Adarsh Residential School and 9 residents from Udhana-Limbayat to Surat relief centres.
Malik chaired a statewide video review, directing cyber monitoring to curb AI-generated fake videos on social media.
Purna River levels rising in Navsari ; round-the-clock drainage work under way on Waghai-Ahwa road in Dang .
Gujarat authorities ramped up emergency response operations on Wednesday, 22 July as heavy rainfall continued to batter South Gujarat, triggering evacuations, high-level police reviews and multi-agency rescue efforts across Surat, Valsad, Navsari and Dang districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Surat following sustained downpours since early morning.
High-Level Police Review
Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik chaired a statewide video conference from Police Bhavan, bringing together all police commissioners, district superintendents of police, range heads and State Reserve Police (SRP) group commandants to assess law and order and the rainfall impact across South Gujarat.
Malik directed officers to remain on constant vigil to maintain peace, safety and security, and to protect government properties. He also instructed officials to strengthen cyber monitoring to prevent the spread of rumours and AI-generated fake videos on social media during the crisis.
NDRF Deployment and Rescue Operations
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) expanded its footprint across vulnerable zones in coordination with civil administration. The 06 Battalion NDRF stationed one team at Parvat Patiya in Surat — where waterlogging was reported — and another at the Surat Municipal Corporation's South Zone office in Udhana.
In Valsad district, NDRF teams were deployed in low-lying localities including Hanuman Bagda, Darudiya Ward, Tariya Ward and surrounding areas. 16 passengers stranded on a private bus on the Koparli-Vapi road near Ambheti in Nanapondha taluka were rescued through a joint effort by local police, the Ambheti Gram Panchayat and villagers. The road was subsequently barricaded and closed to traffic as a precaution.
In a separate incident in Valsad city, three workers trapped after floodwater entered an STP plant behind the Pali Hill area were rescued by an NDRF team — all three without injuries.
Evacuations in Surat
Following the IMD red alert, the Surat Municipal Corporation and district administration launched evacuation and relief measures. A total of 100 people — comprising 31 boys, 54 girls and 15 staff members from Adarsh Residential School in East Zone-B — were shifted to a nearby municipal relief centre. An additional nine residents from low-lying areas in the Udhana and Limbayat zones were evacuated to Saroli Nagar Primary School. Medical teams were deployed at relief centres to conduct health check-ups.
Mayor Maya Mavani, Standing Committee Chairman Rajan Patel and corporators inspected Pramukh Park in Udhana, the Athwa Zone and low-lying areas of Azadnagar-Rasulabad, directing officials to expedite relief. Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan separately reviewed preparedness at Udhana-Sachin Main Road, Bhedwad Creek, Bhimrad Metro Station Road and other critical stretches.
Dang and Navsari on Alert
In Dang district, the State Roads and Buildings Department launched round-the-clock drainage and repair work on the Waghai-Ahwa road under the supervision of Executive Engineer Ketan Kunkana. Machinery and manpower have been deployed to clear blockages and restore drainage channels.
In Navsari district, authorities issued alerts as the Purna River water level continued to rise due to upstream rainfall. Fire and Emergency Services teams conducted patrols in low-lying areas, urging residents via loudspeakers to stay away from riverbanks and waterlogged roads and to disregard rumours. With conditions still evolving, authorities say operations will continue through the coming days.
Point of View
NDRF teams across four districts and municipal commissioners doing field inspections — points to a state administration that has internalised the cost of slow flood response after past criticism. Yet the explicit directive to counter AI-generated fake videos is a newer and telling addition: misinformation now travels faster than floodwater, and authorities are treating it as a parallel emergency. The real test will be whether the Purna River situation in Navsari, which was still escalating as of Wednesday evening, is contained before it replicates the scale of Surat's crisis.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in Gujarat are most affected by the heavy rainfall on 22 July?
Surat, Valsad, Navsari and Dang districts in South Gujarat are the worst affected, with the IMD issuing a red alert specifically for Surat. The Purna River in Navsari was also rising due to upstream rainfall as of Wednesday.
How many people have been evacuated in Gujarat due to the floods?
At least 109 people have been evacuated so far — 100 from Adarsh Residential School in Surat's East Zone-B and 9 residents from low-lying areas in Udhana and Limbayat. Additional evacuations are ongoing in vulnerable localities.
What is the NDRF doing in Gujarat during the flood response?
The NDRF's 06 Battalion has deployed teams at Parvat Patiya and Udhana in Surat, and in localities including Hanuman Bagda, Darudiya Ward and Tariya Ward in Valsad. Teams rescued 3 workers from a flooded STP plant in Valsad city and are monitoring conditions for further emergencies.
Why did Gujarat police hold a statewide video conference during the floods?
DGP G.S. Malik convened the conference to review law and order, coordinate rescue support and direct officers to strengthen cyber monitoring against rumours and AI-generated fake videos spreading on social media during the crisis.
What is the status of roads in Dang and Navsari districts?
In Dang, the Waghai-Ahwa road is facing waterlogging and the State Roads and Buildings Department is running round-the-clock operations to clear drainage channels. In Navsari, authorities have issued alerts as the Purna River rises, and residents have been warned to avoid riverbanks and waterlogged roads.
