Authorities across Gujarat escalated precautionary measures on Thursday, 24 July 2025, ordering the closure of schools, colleges, and anganwadis in multiple districts and directing factories in Valsad to suspend operations, as forecasts of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall compounded an already severe flood emergency. More than 22,000 people have been evacuated from the worst-affected districts of Valsad and Navsari, with large-scale rescue operations ongoing.

School and College Closures Across Districts

In Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) announced that all schools and colleges in the city would remain closed on Friday, 25 July, following an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The AMC also ordered all civic-run anganwadis shut until Monday, 28 July, with reopening to be reviewed against updated IMD forecasts.

Officials said the decision was taken with student safety as the highest priority, appealing to citizens to avoid rumours and rely solely on official information. Similar closures were declared across Surat, Bharuch, Tapi, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, and Botad districts, covering government, grant-in-aid, and self-financed institutions alike.

In Tapi, the shutdown marked a second consecutive holiday, with authorities urging residents to avoid rivers, streams, causeways, low-lying areas, electric poles, and trees. Gandhinagar extended its advisory to cover thunderstorms and strong winds alongside heavy rainfall.

Valsad Orders Factories to Halt Operations

In one of the most significant industrial measures of the ongoing weather emergency, the Valsad district administration directed all factories and industrial units to remain closed on Friday owing to heavy rainfall and flood-like conditions. Factory managements were instructed to ensure workers return home safely, retain only minimum staff for essential and emergency functions, secure hazardous chemicals, machinery, and electrical systems, and comply with further administrative directives.

This is a notable escalation — industrial shutdowns during monsoon emergencies remain relatively rare in Gujarat's densely industrialised southern belt, underscoring the severity of conditions on the ground.

Karjan Dam Gates Opened, Downstream Alert Issued

The Narmada district administration opened five gates of the Karjan Dam at Jitgadh village in Nandod taluka by up to 2.60 metres to maintain the reservoir's rule level. Officials said 43,110 cusecs of water was being discharged into the Karjan River, and appealed to residents of downstream villages to stay away from riverbanks and flowing water.

Examinations Postponed, Rescue Operations Intensified

The adverse weather also disrupted government examinations. The Gujarat Gaun Seva Pasandgi Mandal postponed the descriptive Question Paper 4 of the Higher Level Departmental Examination for senior clerk cadre employees, which had been scheduled for 25 July. The objective multiple-choice papers were conducted successfully between 22 and 24 July, but the descriptive paper has been deferred until further notice. A fresh date will be announced separately.

On the relief front, more than 12,000 people had been evacuated from Valsad and over 10,000 from Navsari by Thursday. Additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, Army columns, and rescue boats have been deployed across South and Central Gujarat to strengthen flood relief operations.

What Comes Next

The IMD's forecast of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over coming days means restrictions are likely to remain in place through the weekend. Authorities have urged residents across affected districts to contact district disaster management helplines in case of emergencies and to avoid all unnecessary travel. The situation in Valsad and Navsari — where evacuation numbers remain the highest — will be closely watched as water levels in downstream areas respond to dam releases.