NDRF rescues 245, evacuates 852 in Gujarat flood ops since July 22
Synopsis
In under a week, the NDRF's 6th Battalion conducted 26 flood operations across Gujarat and two Union Territories — rescuing 245, evacuating 852, and pulling 52 people off a stranded bus in Valsad. Six bodies have been recovered, and with the monsoon still active, the scale of operations is set to grow.
Key Takeaways
The NDRF rescued 245 people and evacuated 852 others across 26 operations in Gujarat and two Union Territories from 22 July onwards.
Surat , Navsari , and Valsad were among the worst-affected districts; Ahmedabad faced severe urban flooding.
Six bodies were recovered and nine livestock rescued; 290 food packets were distributed to inaccessible flood-hit families.
On 23 July , all 52 occupants of a stranded passenger bus at Kopri village, Valsad were rescued without loss of life.
The 6th Battalion of NDRF operated in coordination with SDRF , district administrations, police, and fire services.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 245 people and evacuated an additional 852 across 26 flood rescue and evacuation operations in Gujarat and two Union Territories, following heavy monsoon rainfall that triggered widespread flooding from 22 July onwards, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday, 29 July.
Scale of Operations
The 6th Battalion of the NDRF was deployed after the Southwest monsoon intensified over South Gujarat, driven by a low-pressure system and favourable monsoon conditions. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall caused extensive flooding, waterlogging, and inundation of low-lying areas across the region. Operations spanned Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Ahmedabad, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman.
Key Developments on the Ground
Beyond live rescues, teams recovered six bodies, rescued nine livestock, and distributed 290 food packets to families in flood-hit areas that remained inaccessible by road. The NDRF worked in close coordination with district administrations, state authorities, police, fire and emergency services, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
Notably, flooding also struck the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman, while Ahmedabad faced severe urban flooding due to persistent rainfall — underscoring the geographic breadth of this monsoon event.
Kopri Village Bus Rescue: A Major Operation
One of the most significant individual operations unfolded on 23 July at Kopri village in Valsad district, where a passenger bus became stranded in fast-flowing floodwaters. The 6th Battalion reached the site promptly, conducted a 'Dynamic Risk Assessment', and launched a rescue using boats and lifesaving equipment.
In total, 52 civilians — including one infant, seven children, 21 women, and 23 men — were brought to safety. Officials confirmed the operation was completed without any loss of life.
What Officials Said
'Our teams were mobilised immediately after the situation deteriorated and launched flood water rescue, evacuation, search, recovery and humanitarian assistance operations from 22 July onwards,' the NDRF said in its statement. Officials added: 'We remain committed to safeguarding lives, reducing the impact of disasters and extending all possible assistance to affected communities in coordination with the civil administration.'
What Comes Next
The Southwest monsoon is expected to remain active over South Gujarat and the adjoining Union Territories in the near term. With the battalion already conducting 26 operations in under a week, the operational tempo signals that relief and rescue efforts are likely to continue as rainfall persists across the region.
Point of View
While not attributed to specific causes in the official statement, raise questions about early-warning lead times at the village level. As climate patterns push monsoon extremes further, the NDRF's reactive model will need to be complemented by proactive pre-positioning of teams before low-pressure systems make landfall.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people did the NDRF rescue in Gujarat floods?
The NDRF rescued 245 people and evacuated an additional 852 during 26 operations conducted from 22 July across Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman. Six bodies were also recovered during the operations.
Which districts in Gujarat were worst affected by the July 2025 floods?
Surat , Navsari , and Valsad were among the hardest-hit districts. Ahmedabad also experienced severe urban flooding due to persistent monsoon rainfall, while the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman were also affected.
What happened at Kopri village in Valsad during the floods?
On 23 July , a passenger bus became stranded in fast-flowing floodwaters at Kopri village in Valsad district . The NDRF's 6th Battalion deployed boats and lifesaving equipment, rescuing all 52 occupants — including one infant, seven children, 21 women, and 23 men — without any loss of life.
What caused the flooding in Gujarat in July 2025?
The flooding was triggered by the intensification of the Southwest monsoon over South Gujarat, driven by a low-pressure system and favourable monsoon conditions. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall led to widespread inundation, waterlogging, and flooding of low-lying areas from 22 July onwards.
Which agencies coordinated the flood relief operations in Gujarat?
The NDRF's 6th Battalion led operations in coordination with district administrations, state authorities, police, fire and emergency services, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) . Teams responded to distress calls across six locations including Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Ahmedabad, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman.
