Around 1,200 people have been rescued and hundreds more shifted to safer locations as torrential rain continued to batter south Gujarat, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to review the flood situation, even as the Centre assured full support for rescue and relief operations.
One rain-related death was reported from Tapi district, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Coast Guard were placed on alert as authorities intensified rescue and relief efforts.
A view of an inundated area as water level in the Mindhola River rises due to heavy rainfall at Bardoli, in Surat on July 23, 2025. | Photo
Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Mr. Patel on Thursday (July 23, 2026). to review the situation arising out of the heavy rainfall in Gujarat and promised full support from the Central Government for rescue, relief and safety measures.
Downpour affects essential services
According to SEOC data, Valsad was the worst-hit district, with Umbergaon taluka recording more than 1,100 mm of rainfall in just 16 hours, between 6 a.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. on Thursday. Several other talukas in the district received more than 600 mm of rainfall during the same period.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Valsad, Navsari, Dang, Surat and Tapi districts for Thursday and Friday, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
Vehicles are partially submerged after incessant rains in Vapi, Gujarat, on July 23, 2026. | Photo
The heavy rainfall disrupted transport and essential services across south Gujarat. More than 300 roads were temporarily closed, over 200 Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation bus services were affected, and power outages were reported from several locations.
In Surat, fire department personnel used boats to rescue residents trapped in flooded localities, shifting at least 40 people from the Pandesara area to safety. Heavy rainfall was also reported from Umarpada, Ambika, Palsana and Mahuva talukas. Surat Collector Tejas Parmar said Umarpada, Bardoli, Mahuva and Kamrej had recorded particularly heavy rainfall.
Rain also lashed Ahmedabad city on Thursday (July 23, 2026), flooding several residential societies and forcing the closure of multiple underpasses, disrupting traffic.
Rail services were affected as several Mumbai-bound trains were cancelled or short-terminated because of rising water levels along railway tracks in south Gujarat. Western Railway set up help desks for passengers.
In Narmada district, heavy rains cut off several villages in Dediapada and Sagbara talukas after road connectivity was disrupted.
The diversion on the Bharaj river washed away due to heavy rains in Chhota Udepur on July 23, 2026. | Photo
The IMD has also issued a red alert for Panchmahal, Dahod and Mahisagar districts in central Gujarat, while 11 districts are under an orange alert and 10 districts under a yellow alert.
According to SEOC data, south Gujarat has already received more than 62% of its average seasonal rainfall, while the State has received about 36% of its annual average rainfall so far this monsoon season.
Relief work in full swing
Earlier in the day, Mr. Patel visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar to assess the situation and also spoke to Mr. Shah, who assured the State government of all necessary assistance for rescue and relief operations.
Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana said NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed across the affected districts, with additional personnel being mobilised as rainfall intensity increased.
“The Air Force and Coast Guard are also on alert and people will be airlifted if necessary once weather conditions improve,” Mr. Makwana told reporters.
Police and the municipal team evacuate an 8-month pregnant woman from the heavily flooded Chipwad area in Valsad on July 23, 2026. | Photo
He said around 1,200 people have been rescued so far. In Surat, nearly 1,500 residents have been shifted to safer locations, while in Navsari, around 200 people stranded in 11 villages due to the swelling Kaveri river have been rescued and relocated.
Senior officials, including district Collectors and mamlatdars, have been stationed in the affected areas to oversee relief operations.
Surat currently has two NDRF and five SDRF teams deployed, while Valsad has two NDRF and four SDRF teams. Additional NDRF teams are being mobilised for Navsari, while SDRF and NDRF teams have also been kept on standby in Amreli, Junagadh and Bhavnagar.
According to an official release, Mr. Patel also spoke to Minister Naresh Patel and the Valsad Collector to review rescue and relief measures and assured that additional NDRF teams would be deployed if required. He directed the Collectors of Surat and Navsari to evacuate residents from low-lying and waterlogged areas.
