Gujarat monsoon: 35 disaster teams deployed, 777 evacuated as Amreli records 10 inches
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Heavy monsoon rainfall battered large parts of Gujarat over the 24 hours ending 6 July, prompting authorities to evacuate 777 people from vulnerable areas and rescue 60 others trapped in floodwaters, as the state government deployed 35 disaster response teams across sensitive districts. Rajula taluka in Amreli district recorded the highest single-point rainfall in the state at 10 inches, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar.
Rainfall Distribution Across Districts
Dhari taluka in Amreli received more than 9 inches of rainfall, while Khambha logged over 6 inches and Savarkundla more than 5 inches. Jafrabad, Bagsara, and Lilia talukas in the district each crossed the 4-inch mark.
In Dang district, Subir received more than 5 inches and Ahwa over 4 inches. Vijaynagar taluka in Sabarkantha and Una taluka in Gir Somnath also recorded 4 inches each. Overall, rain was recorded across 164 talukas in Gujarat during the period, with 32 talukas receiving more than one inch and 105 talukas logging below one inch.
Seasonal Rainfall Status
As of 6 am on Monday, Gujarat had received more than 6 inches of cumulative seasonal rainfall — equivalent to over 17 per cent of the long-period average. Saurashtra led all regions at more than 23 per cent of its seasonal average, followed by South Gujarat at over 20 per cent, East-Central Gujarat at more than 12 per cent, and North Gujarat at over 10 per cent. Kutch recorded the lowest seasonal rainfall at just 0.42 per cent.
Dam Levels and Reservoir Alerts
Continued inflows from upstream catchment areas pushed storage at the Sardar Sarovar Dam to 2.15 lakh million cubic feet (MCFT), approximately 65 per cent of its capacity. The state's other 206 reservoirs collectively hold 2.09 lakh MCFT. Of these, two dams are full, 18 have storage above 70 per cent, and 20 are above 50 per cent. Notably, six dams have been placed on high alert, seven on alert, and another seven at warning level.
Rescue Operations and Emergency Response
Evacuations were carried out across Navsari, Junagadh, Tapi, Dang, Gir Somnath, Porbandar, and Amreli districts as a precautionary measure. The 35 deployed disaster response teams comprise 10 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 25 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). An additional four NDRF and eight SDRF teams remain on standby at their headquarters for immediate deployment.
The administration has also advised all fishermen to stay off the sea until 9 July, citing rough conditions forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). On the power front, heavy rain and strong winds disrupted electricity supply in 2,804 villages across the state. The Energy Department restored power in 2,738 villages, with restoration work continuing in the remaining 66 villages, the government said.
What to Watch Next
With the monsoon intensifying across Saurashtra and South Gujarat and several dams already on high alert, authorities are monitoring upstream inflows closely. The IMD forecast of continued heavy rain through the coming days means evacuation numbers could rise further, and the fishing ban through 9 July signals that rough conditions are expected to persist.