Gujarat has positioned 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams across the state ahead of the 2025 monsoon, with the administration setting a stated target of ‘zero casualty’ during heavy rain and flood events. The preparedness blueprint was finalised at a high-level review chaired by Chief Secretary M. K. Das in Gandhinagar on Wednesday, 3 June.

Key Developments

The pre-monsoon meeting brought together senior state officials, the Director General of Police, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and heads of multiple departments, alongside representatives of central agencies and security forces. Das said the state administration was fully prepared for the season and directed every department to operationalise its disaster management plan without delay.

He ordered the immediate activation of control rooms at the state, district, and taluka levels before the rains set in, and instructed officials to maintain adequate stocks of essential commodities, medicines, and relief supplies to shield citizens from disruption during heavy rainfall or flooding.

What the Chief Secretary Said

Citing directions from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Das told the meeting: ‘The administration should remain fully prepared to prevent any loss of life during the rainy season.’ He pressed for the completion of pending road and drainage works in both urban and rural areas at the earliest, and asked the Roads and Buildings Department to undertake repairs on roads and bridges that carry heavy traffic.

The Forest Department was directed to begin tree-trimming work in coordination with local authorities to reduce the risk of trees collapsing during the first spells of rain and strong winds — a recurring cause of traffic congestion and casualties in earlier monsoons.

Response Teams and Equipment

Revenue Department's Additional Chief Secretary Jayanti Ravi told the meeting that the 14 NDRF and 22 SDRF teams would be deployed across Gujarat for rescue and emergency response operations during periods of heavy rainfall. The teams will be equipped with boats, life jackets, and advanced communication systems.

‘Under the State Monsoon Disaster Plan, officers from all departments would be required to work in close coordination with district administrations to ensure a swift response to emergencies,’ Ravi added. Das also instructed officials to closely monitor water inflows and storage at major reservoirs, including the Sardar Sarovar and Ukai dams.

Inter-Agency Coordination

The review covered disaster management plans presented by key departments coordinated with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), including meteorological authorities, central security forces, urban development, health, roads and buildings, and supply departments. Officials from the armed forces, Border Security Force, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Water Commission, Rapid Action Force, Railways, BSNL, Doordarshan, ISRO, and All India Radio attended the meeting.

What Happens Next

Control rooms are expected to be operational before the southwest monsoon makes landfall over Gujarat, with district administrations tasked to relay real-time updates to the SEOC. Reservoir-level monitoring at Sardar Sarovar and Ukai will be central to flood-risk calls in the weeks ahead.