IMD Red Alert for 13 Gujarat districts; 50 disaster teams deployed
Synopsis
Gujarat has put 50 disaster response teams in the field and begun evacuating flood-prone areas after the IMD issued a Red Alert for 13 districts — with heavy to extremely heavy rain expected to continue for days. The scale of the response, combining NDRF and SDRF forces with pre-mapped rescue boats in Vadodara, signals that authorities are treating this as a serious multi-district flood threat, not a routine monsoon advisory.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued a 'Red Alert' for 13 Gujarat districts and an 'Orange Alert' for seven others as of 31 July .
A total of 50 teams — 17 NDRF and 33 SDRF — have been deployed across affected districts.
An additional 3 NDRF teams are on standby in Vadodara , where rescue boat mapping has been completed.
Heavy rainfall has already been recorded in Narmada, Anand, Kheda, Chhota Udepur, Vadodara , and Surat .
Evacuations from flood-prone and low-lying areas are under way under the direction of CM Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi .
Residents have been advised to remain indoors and stay away from rivers, streams, and waterlogged areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Red Alert' for 13 districts in Gujarat and an 'Orange Alert' for seven others, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across large parts of the state. Authorities have responded by deploying 50 specialised disaster response teams, as the state government activated its full emergency machinery on 31 July.
Scale of Deployment
A total of 17 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 33 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been positioned across affected districts. An additional three NDRF teams have been kept on standby specifically in Vadodara district, where the district administration has also completed mapping of all available rescue boats and their operators to enable immediate deployment if required.
Districts Hit and Areas Under Watch
Since early Friday, significant rainfall has been recorded in several districts including Narmada, Anand, Kheda, Chhota Udepur, Vadodara, and Surat. Authorities are continuously monitoring ground conditions across these locations. The IMD has warned that the active weather system is likely to sustain heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over different parts of Gujarat in the coming days.
What the Government Said
Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana said that relief, rescue, and precautionary measures were being implemented statewide under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Evacuation of residents from flood-prone and low-lying areas to safer locations had already begun and would continue wherever necessary.
'The active weather system is likely to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to different parts of Gujarat over the coming days. In view of the forecast, all district administrations have been directed to remain on constant alert, closely monitor local conditions and take timely action wherever required,' Makwana said.
Advisory for Citizens
Makwana urged residents to remain indoors unless faced with a medical emergency or other essential need. 'Citizens should not step out of their homes except for medical emergencies or extremely essential work. They should avoid rumours, stay away from rivers, streams and waterlogged areas, and strictly follow the official advisories issued by the state government and district administrations,' he said.
What Happens Next
All concerned departments and district administrations have been directed to maintain constant vigilance and ensure emergency arrangements remain in place. With the weather system expected to persist, authorities are likely to extend alert levels and continue evacuations as conditions evolve across the state.
Point of View
Pre-mapped rescue boats, and active evacuations before peak rainfall even arrives. What this response reveals is a state that has internalised the lessons of past flood disasters, particularly the recurring vulnerability of Vadodara and Surat. The real test, however, is coordination at the last mile: whether district administrations can translate central directives into timely evacuations in interior talukas where communication and access remain perennial weak points during heavy rain events.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Gujarat districts are under IMD Red Alert on 31 July?
The IMD has issued a Red Alert for 13 Gujarat districts, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Seven additional districts are under an Orange Alert. The specific district names under Red Alert were not listed individually in the official statement, but significant rainfall has already been recorded in Narmada, Anand, Kheda, Chhota Udepur, Vadodara, and Surat.
How many disaster response teams have been deployed in Gujarat?
A total of 50 teams have been deployed — 17 from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 33 from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Three additional NDRF teams are on standby in Vadodara district.
Are evacuations under way in Gujarat?
Yes, evacuations of residents from flood-prone and low-lying areas to safer locations have already begun across Gujarat. Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana confirmed that evacuations would continue wherever necessary, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
What safety advice has the Gujarat government issued to residents?
Authorities have urged citizens to remain indoors except for medical emergencies or essential work, avoid rumours, and stay away from rivers, streams, and waterlogged areas. Residents are advised to follow official advisories from the state government and district administrations.
How long is the heavy rainfall in Gujarat expected to last?
According to the IMD forecast, the active weather system is likely to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to different parts of Gujarat over the coming days. Authorities have directed all district administrations to remain on constant alert and monitor conditions continuously.
