After heavy rains, the floodwaters in Junagadh district, Gujarat have started to go down, allowing authorities to move almost 3,000 individuals to safer places. The focus is now on restoring normalcy in the rain-damaged region. However, the situation remains critical as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘orange’ alert for Gujarat, forecasting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” on July 24.
The IMD’s forecast predicts heavy to very heavy rains in Devbhumi Dwarka, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Valsad districts, with isolated areas expecting extremely heavy rainfall within the next 24 hours. In the last 24 hours prior to 6 am on Sunday, Junagadh city experienced a staggering 241 mm of rainfall, resulting in severe waterlogging in various areas. The aftermath of the flooding caused damaged cars to be stacked on top of each other, and flash floods washed away livestock carcasses. Authorities are working tirelessly to minimize the damage and restore normalcy in the affected areas.
On Saturday, extensive flooding in Gujarat led to the closure of two national highways, ten state highways, and around 300 rural roads. However, traffic has resumed in certain areas where the water has receded. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to discuss the flood-like situation caused by heavy rainfall in different parts of the state.
Junagadh collector Anil Ranavasiya stated that the water has receded from the city after the rains stopped. Approximately 200 individuals were rescued and 750 were moved from low-lying areas in the city. An additional 2,220 people were shifted to safer places in rural areas neighboring the city as a proactive measure. Electricity restoration is almost complete, and food packets are being distributed to people in shelters. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and fire department teams are involved in restoring normalcy.
The main focus now is on cleanliness in the city. Junagadh city has around 600 cleaning staff, and another 400 are being brought in from other districts. So, today’s priority is cleaning the city to restore normalcy. Cranes have been deployed to remove vehicles swept away and damaged due to flooding, and dewatering pumps are being used to eliminate water accumulation in residential areas.
On Sunday, districts including Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Botad, Surat, and Bharuch received rainfall between 50-117 mm in four hours till 10 am, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). Bhavnagar taluka of the district received 17 mm rainfall in four hours till 10 am on Sunday. Ahmedabad city experienced 125 mm rainfall in a couple of hours on Saturday evening, causing roads and the city airport to be submerged and causing inconvenience to commuters and residents in low-lying areas. The water receded within a few hours, leaving behind damaged vehicles and flooded basements in some residential areas.