At least 1,200 rescued as torrential rain hits south Gujarat; PM Modi, Amit Shah assess the situation
About 1,200 people were rescued and hundreds more moved to safer places as torrential rain continued to lash southern Gujarat, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to review the flood situation, even as the Center assured full support to 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), Indian Air Force (IAF) and Coast Guard were put on alert as authorities stepped up rescue and relief efforts.
A view of the flooded area as the water level in the Mindhola river rises due to heavy rainfall in Bardoli, Surat on July 23, 2025. Photo credit: ANI
Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Mr Patel on Thursday (July 23, 2026). to review the situation arising out of the heavy rains in Gujarat and pledged full support to the central government in relief, relief and security measures.
The downpour affects essential services
According to SEOC data, the worst affected district was Valsad, with Umbergaon taluka receiving over 1,100 mm of rainfall in just 16 hours, between 6 am on Wednesday and 10 am on Thursday. Several other taluks in the district received more than 600 mm 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 credit: PTI
Heavy rainfall disrupted transport and essential services across south Gujarat. More than 300 roads were temporarily closed, more than 200 Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation bus services were affected and power cuts were reported from several places.
In Surat, firefighters used boats to rescue residents trapped in flooded localities and moved 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 experienced particularly heavy rainfall.
Rain also lashed the city of Ahmedabad on Thursday (July 23, 2026), inundating several residential areas and forcing the closure of several subways, disrupting traffic.
Rail traffic was affected as several Mumbai-bound trains were canceled or halted due to rising water levels along railway lines in south Gujarat. Western Railway has set up passenger assistance services.
In Narmada district, heavy rains cut off several villages in Dediapada and Sagbara talukas after road connectivity was severed.
A diversion on the Bharaj River was washed away by heavy rains in Chhota Udepur on July 23, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
The IMD has also issued a red alert for Panchmahal, Dahod and Mahisagar districts in central Gujarat, while 11 districts are under orange alert and 10 districts are under yellow alert.
According to SEOC data, south Gujarat has already received more than 62% of the average seasonal rainfall, while the state has received about 36% of the average annual rainfall so far this monsoon season.
Relief work in full swing
Earlier in the day, Mr. Patel visited the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Gandhinagar to take stock of the situation and also spoke to Mr. Shah, who assured the state government of all necessary assistance in rescue and relief operations.
Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana said NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed in the affected districts, with additional personnel being mobilized as the rains intensified.
“The Air Force and Coast Guard are also on standby and people will be airlifted if necessary once weather conditions improve,” Mr Makwana told reporters.
Police and a municipal team evacuate an eight-month pregnant woman from the heavily flooded Chipwad area of Valsad on July 23, 2026. Photo credit: ANI
According to him, about 1,200 people have been rescued so far. In Surat, nearly 1,500 residents were shifted to safer places, while in Navsari, around 200 people stranded in 11 villages due to the swelling Kaveri river were rescued and relocated.
Senior officials, including district collectors and mamlatdars, have been deployed in the affected areas to supervise the 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 mobilized for Navsari while SDRF and NDRF teams have also been kept on alert in Amreli, Junagadh and Bhavnagar.
According to an official statement, Mr. Patel also spoke to Minister Naresh Patel and 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.
Published – 23 Jul 2026 16:01 IST