Gujarat on high alert: Schools closed across districts as state prepares for severe rainfall

Gandhinagar: Authorities across Gujarat have been placed on maximum alert following forecasts by the India Meteorological Department warning of torrential downpours across multiple districts over the coming two-day period.

"There is a possibility of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several districts from July 31 to August 2. Surat, districts of Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Anand, Narmada, Tapi, Dang, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Dahod and Mahisagar have been placed on high alert," an official statement noted.

Additional Chief Secretary Dr Jayanti Ravi convened a review session with senior administrators to assess emergency readiness, ordering the cancellation of all time-off requests for regional personnel.

She further mandated that continuous 24-hour control rooms function across every district, supervised constantly by a Class-I officer.

National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force squads are to be stationed promptly in flood-prone zones as required, she added.

Furthermore, units from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force remain on standby to assist with rescue and humanitarian missions.

Ravi also granted district collectors the authority to shutter schools depending on local precipitation levels.

Residents residing in flood-susceptible localities will be relocated proactively to evacuation centres furnished with provisions, potable water, and healthcare supplies, according to the release.

Authorities urged the public to remain indoors unless travel is essential.

Educational institutions will remain closed on Friday across various districts, encompassing Ahmedabad, Surat, Panchmahal, Anand, Bharuch, Navsari, Jamnagar, Kheda, and Vadodara.

Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana directed all administrative branches to sustain full readiness.

The Roads and Buildings Department received specific orders to dismantle unsafe structures and clear street-level advertising displays and banners in municipal zones as a safety precaution.

Gujarat is currently experiencing erratic precipitation trends, Makwana observed, noting that while locations such as Dwarka report lower-than-average totals, areas including Valsad and Navsari have nearly fulfilled their typical seasonal rainfall expectations.

In light of these disparities, the regional government has instructed all pertinent agencies and disaster response units to maintain heightened vigilance.

According to midday meteorological bulletins published on Thursday, red warnings—signifying exceptional precipitation—cover Narmada, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Bhavnagar, and Botad for Friday.

Amber warnings indicating severe rainfall apply Friday to Gandhinagar, Kheda, Panchmahal, and Dahod, alongside Saurashtra districts including Surendranagar, Rajkot, and Amreli, while scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected elsewhere.

A red warning is subsequently scheduled for Saturday across Ahmedabad, Anand, Surendranagar, and Rajkot.

Recent days have already produced flood conditions throughout southern districts such as Surat, Valsad, and Navsari, alongside severe urban inundation across Ahmedabad city and its surrounding region.

PTI