Gujarat rains displace 38,000; Army and NDRF launch rescue operations

As many as five trains towards Mumbai were cancelled owing to waterlogging in rail routes in south Gujarat

Published - July 24, 2026 04:02 pm IST – Ahmedabad PTI

Relentless downpours continued to paralyse Gujarat for the third consecutive day on Friday (July 24, 2026), cutting off dozens of villages and throwing life out of gear, with 38,000 people relocated to safer places and more than 352 rescued, officials said.

With more than 400 mm of rainfall recorded in some locations in 24 hours, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Army swung into action in flooded areas, while authorities shut schools and cancelled Mumbai-bound trains.

Affected Districts

South Gujarat districts of Valsad, Navsari and Surat, along with the central Gujarat districts of Ahmedabad and Kheda, recorded very heavy downpours in the 24 hours ending 6 a.m. A fresh spell of rain lashed Vav-Tharad, Amreli and Kheda districts since morning, keeping the administration on alert.

Casualties and Rescues

Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana provided the following updates:

• 38,000 people have been relocated, primarily from Navsari and Valsad districts.
• Most evacuees moved to relatives' homes; approximately 2,000 have been shifted to shelter homes.
• 352 people have been rescued so far.
• One death has been officially reported in Tapi; more information is being collected from affected districts.

Deployment of Rescue Teams

• Four NDRF teams, airlifted from Odisha, landed in Surat and were dispatched to Valsad and Navsari. One team was kept on standby in Surat.
• Two Army columns have reached Valsad and Navsari, with two additional teams being dispatched to affected districts.
• Further teams will be deployed depending on requirements and the evolving situation.

Rainfall Data (24 hours ending 6 a.m.)

| Location | District | Rainfall (mm) | |----------|----------|---------------| | Mehmedabad | Kheda | 507 | | Dholka | Ahmedabad | 473 | | Chikhli | Navsari | 451 | | Umbergaon | Valsad | 434 | | Khergam | Navsari | 434 |

As many as 35 talukas in the State received more than 200 mm of rain during this period.

Fresh Spell (from 6 a.m. on July 24)

• Deodar (Vav-Tharad): 153 mm
• Mehmedabad (Kheda): 129 mm
• Patan, Amreli and Banaskantha also received fresh rains since Friday morning.

Ongoing Operations

Thousands of flood-affected people in Valsad, Navsari, Ahmedabad, Kheda and Dangs were being shifted to safer places. Hundreds were rescued with the help of NDRF and SDRF, with the Army and Coast Guard also kept on alert.

"Army columns of Golden Kartar Division, deployed in Valsad, Navsari, and Ahmedabad city and rural areas, rescued stranded civilians, providing essential aid," the PRO Defence Gujarat stated on X.

Rivers Overflowing

Rivers including Ambika in Tapi district, as well as Par, Auranga and Daman Ganga, were overflowing, inundating low-lying areas along their banks.

Impact on Daily Life

• In Ahmedabad, downpours made roads inaccessible and prompted the closure of a dozen underpasses.
• The State government declared a holiday for schools and colleges in rain-affected districts.
• Five trains towards Mumbai were cancelled on Friday due to waterlogging on rail routes in south Gujarat.

Government Response

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel instructed the administration to remain on high alert and keep a close watch on the situation.

As the flood situation in Valsad district worsened, with Umbergaon taluka receiving over 1,300 mm of rainfall in two days, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi reached the area and took stock of the situation. Owing to heavy rains and the release of water from the Madhuban Dam, rivers were flowing in spate.