Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, 25 July conducted a second consecutive-day review of the severe rain situation in Gujarat, with a sharp focus on the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar belt, after holding separate consultations with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and senior state administrative officials. The review follows unprecedented waterlogging and civic disruption triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall across the region.

What Triggered the Crisis

Weather experts attributed the deluge to the simultaneous activation of three to four weather systems, including a cyclonic circulation and the middle section of a shear zone centred over the Ahmedabad region. These converging systems pushed average rainfall in Ahmedabad beyond 18 inches, surpassing earlier meteorological forecasts by a significant margin.

Directions Issued by Shah

Shah, who had already conducted a similar assessment on Thursday, ordered all government departments to remain on high alert. He directed officials to carry out continuous monitoring of low-lying areas, deploy emergency rescue teams wherever needed, and ensure rapid drainage of accumulated rainwater. He also specifically instructed that essential public services — including healthcare, drinking water supply, and electricity — remain uninterrupted throughout the ongoing spell.

Ground-Level Response

The local administration has since intensified operations on what officials described as a 'war footing'. Measures underway include draining waterlogged locations through catch pits, drains, and manholes, clearing fallen trees, attending to public complaints, and deploying emergency response teams across affected areas. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is conducting real-time monitoring through a dedicated dashboard at its main control room.

Shah's Appeal to Residents

Shah also issued a public advisory urging residents of Gujarat, including those in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency — which he represents in Parliament — to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall periods, adhere strictly to local authority advisories, and contact relevant government agencies immediately in case of emergencies. This is the second such public appeal from the Home Minister within two days, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

With multiple weather systems still active over the region, authorities have not yet indicated when conditions are expected to ease. The administration's response will be closely watched as Ahmedabad and surrounding districts brace for continued rainfall.