Residential buildings were partially submerged after incessant rains in Navsari, Gujarat, on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
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More than 1,200 people have been rescued, and nearly 1,500 have been shifted to safer locations in Surat after torrential rain triggered flooding across many districts of Gujarat. Umargam in Valsad district received nearly 43 inches of rainfall over the past 28 hours, prompting the state government to step up rescue and relief operations.The worst-hit districts include Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Tapi, and Dangs, where the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local authorities have been carrying out rescue and evacuation operations since Wednesday night. Even large areas of Ahmedabad city went underwater prompting authorities to order the closure of schools in the city for two days until Friday.Business impactThe affected districts form part of one of Gujarat’s key industrial corridors, which is home to textile, diamond, chemical, pharmaceutical, and engineering units. However, the State government or industrial associations have not yet reported any major industrial disruptions.Around 200 people stranded across 11 villages in Navsari due to flooding in the Kaveri River have also been rescued. Officials said one drowning death has been reported in Tapi district, while no other human casualties have been reported so far.Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Gandhinagar to assess the flood situation and directed the deployment of additional NDRF and SDRF teams in Surat, Valsad and Navsari. He instructed officials to accord top priority to rescuing people stranded in floodwaters and evacuating residents from low-lying areas.Patel also held telephonic discussions with the collectors of the affected districts to review rescue operations, flood levels in rivers, and the availability of essential services, including electricity, drinking water, and transport connectivity. He directed officials to ensure adequate sanitation, food packets, and medical preparedness for people shifted to relief shelters once floodwaters begin to recede.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief minister to review the evolving situation and assured the state of the Centre’s full support for rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts, according to the state government. Relief Commissioner Gaurav Makwana said South Gujarat, particularly the districts of Valsad, Navsari, Surat and Tapi, has been under a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall since Wednesday. Apart from Umargam, Kaprada, Vapi and several other parts of Valsad also witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall overnight.He said NDRF and SDRF teams had been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas before the rainfall intensified, and additional teams were mobilised overnight as the situation worsened. Rescue operations have been carried out jointly by the disaster response forces, police and local volunteers.Relief operationsThe State has also strengthened its deployment in the affected districts. Surat currently has three NDRF and five SDRF teams, while Valsad has two NDRF and four SDRF teams, with additional teams being rushed to the district. Navsari has two SDRF teams, while one NDRF team is being moved from Surat.Two more NDRF teams from New Delhi are expected to reach Valsad later on Thursday. The Army has also deployed a 70-member team equipped with boats, while the Air Force and Coast Guard have been kept on standby for air rescue operations once weather conditions improve.The heavy rainfall has also disrupted transport and civic infrastructure. According to the state government, more than 300 panchayat roads have been temporarily closed due to overtopping, while over 200 State Transport bus services have been suspended. Power supply has been affected at a few locations, with restoration work expected to begin after floodwaters recede. Authorities said rescue and evacuation operations are continuing across the affected districts as heavy rainfall persists.Published on July 23, 2026
