At least 28 people have lost their lives, and over 24,000 have been displaced in the western Indian state of Gujarat following severe flooding caused by heavy rains since Sunday. The relentless downpour has led to the overflowing of rivers and reservoirs, pushing water levels well beyond the danger mark, according to officials.
The Indian army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed to carry out relief and rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas. The state remains on high alert as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued heavy rainfall over the coming days.
The flooding has severely impacted transport services, with 48 trains canceled across the state. In the Saurashtra region, villages and towns have been particularly devastated after nearly 48 hours of continuous rain. Many residents in these areas have been stranded, with rescue operations involving helicopters in some instances.
Photos from the region depict flooded streets, overflowing rivers, and extensive damage to infrastructure. In Vadodara city, rescue workers were seen carrying an elderly woman on a stretcher through waist-high floodwaters, while an aerial view of the city revealed buildings surrounded by waterlogged roads.
The floods have also taken a toll on agriculture, with farmers reporting significant damage to crops such as cotton and groundnuts. The government report highlights that many parts of Gujarat are particularly vulnerable to flooding due to the flat terrain through which major rivers flow before reaching the sea.
As the situation remains critical, weather officials anticipate some relief as the heavy rains are expected to begin tapering off by September 1, with the deep depression in the Arabian Sea shifting towards Pakistan.
