Gujarat Police activated a statewide disaster preparedness and evacuation mechanism on Thursday, 30 July, ahead of a forecast of heavy rainfall expected over the next 24 to 48 hours. Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik directed all city, district and range police chiefs across Gujarat to remain on maximum alert and ensure coordinated relief, rescue and evacuation operations to protect lives and property.

High-Level Review and Directives

The directives were issued during a high-level video conference chaired by DGP Malik, attended by senior police officers from across the state. Officers were instructed to strengthen preparedness in anticipation of adverse weather and to keep flood relief and rescue equipment — including boats and mechanical resources — fully operational and ready for immediate deployment.

Local police personnel have been integrated into relief operations alongside teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), ensuring a multi-agency response framework is in place.

Evacuation and Traffic Management Measures

In coordination with district administrations, municipal corporations, the Forest Department, the Roads and Buildings Department, and power distribution companies, the Gujarat Police has implemented a joint evacuation plan. The plan provides for the relocation of residents and livestock from low-lying and flood-prone areas to safer locations.

Police personnel have been deployed on national and state highways to regulate traffic and facilitate smooth vehicle movement. Authorities have arranged cranes to remove stranded vehicles and have identified alternative routes to maintain connectivity if roads become impassable.

Shelter, Relief and Communication

Relief centres set up for evacuated residents have been equipped with food, safe drinking water and electricity. Separate arrangements have been made to provide secure shelter for women, children and senior citizens. To maintain uninterrupted communication during severe weather, the police will deploy VHF, HF and ROIP communication systems.

District control rooms have been activated to monitor the situation round the clock, remaining in constant contact with the State Control Room in Gandhinagar for coordinated decision-making and swift emergency response.

Public Awareness and Ground Deployment

The police have intensified public awareness efforts through public address systems, social media platforms and local communication networks, urging residents to stay away from dilapidated buildings, electricity poles, rivers and streams during the heavy rainfall period.

Personnel from the police, Home Guards, Gram Rakshak Dal (GRD), Traffic Regulation Brigade (TRB) and Fire Services have already been deployed at sensitive locations across the state. This comes amid a broader pattern of monsoon-related disaster preparedness exercises that Gujarat authorities have scaled up in recent years following repeated flood events in low-lying districts.

With the heavy rainfall window spanning the next 24 to 48 hours, authorities have urged all residents in vulnerable zones to cooperate with evacuation teams and avoid unnecessary movement.