Gujarat Floods: Heavy Rains Kill 22 People In 2 Days, Rescue Operation Underway

In Gujarat's Botad district, a tragic incident occurred when an Eco car with nine passengers was swept away by a river. Four people lost their lives, and three remain missing. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has confirmed that two passengers were rescued. An intensive search operation is still underway to locate the missing individuals.

Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding in Saurashtra and nearby areas, leading to urgent evacuation efforts. Authorities are prioritising the safety of residents and ensuring essential supplies continue. Schools in Bhavnagar district have been closed as a precautionary measure to protect students and staff from the adverse weather conditions.

Gujarat Floods: NDRF's Rescue Efforts Underway

Inspector Vinay Kumar Bhati, Team Commander of NDRF's 6th Battalion, explained the challenges faced during rescue operations. The incident happened early in the morning, involving a vehicle likely used as a shared tempo. "Our team was stationed in Rajkot," he said, noting that severe waterlogging blocked all roads to Botad.

Bhati mentioned that alternative routes through villages were also inaccessible due to flooding. With help from local authorities, they managed to reach Botad via an internal route by 7:30 pm. "We conducted rescue operations from 7:30 to 11:30 pm," he added. Despite vehicle damage during the mission, the team returned to base by 3:30 am.

Gujarat Floods: Weather Impact

The tragedy in Botad is part of a larger crisis affecting Gujarat due to heavy rains. On Tuesday alone, eighteen people died in various rain-related incidents across the state. Both NDRF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed throughout all districts to manage the situation.

State Emergency Commissioner Alok Pandey stated that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high-level review meeting regarding the heavy rains over recent days. He instructed district magistrates from 25 affected districts to focus on protecting life and property amid ongoing weather challenges.

In Botad, rising water levels led to the opening of Khambhada Dam gates on Tuesday, worsening waterlogging issues. Major roads like Gadgda Road near Botad Circle were closed due to flooding in both urban and rural areas of Gadhada.