India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Air Force were called in to rescue people stranded by flooding in the state of Gujarat over the weekend 15 to 16 July.
Some areas recorded more than 300 mm of rain in 24 hours, causing major flooding across the state. Rajkot recorded 206 mm of rainfall, almost as much as the 240 mm it would see on average during the whole of July.
Gujarat Principal Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar reported that 9 people have died. Fatalities were reported in the districts of Banaskantha, Gandhinagar, Arvalli, Rajkot, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Kutch and Surendranagar.
NDRF and military have rescued around 400 people over the last 3 days. According to reports, hundreds of people have been evacuated in the Rajkot, Jamnagar, Morbi and Surendranagar districts in Saurashtra Division and moved to safer places away from rivers and dams.
Previous Flood Events in Gujarat
NDRF was deployed in Gujarat last year as a result of severe flooding in the districts of Valsad, Chhota Udepur, Navsari and Surat after heavy rain on 02 August, 2016.
Over 50 people died in Gujarat after major floods hit in late June 2015.
Gujarat was also hit by major floods in September 2014 when over 20,000 people were evacuated after the Vishwamitri River in the district and city of Vadodara overflowed.
Rainfall
Figures according to Government of Gujarat for a 24 hour period, 15 to 16 July 2017.
- Abdasa (Kutch) – 322 mm
- Jodia (Jamnagar) – 259 mm
- Dasada (Surendranagar) – 236 mm
Social Media
#Gujarat: MI-17V5 helicopter of IAF assisted in evacuation of 3 villagers in Siyani's Natwargarh in Surendranagar from gushing flood waters pic.twitter.com/X2qIo2cFq3
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017
Gujarat: MI-17V5 helicopter of IAF airlifted four people stuck amidst raging flood waters in Gamtal near Dhrangadhara,landed at a safe place pic.twitter.com/aUDYLGffFI
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 15, 2017
Massive waterlogging in Gujarat following heavy rainfall, visuals from Kheda. pic.twitter.com/VDX9NwG7zK
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 15, 2017
Gujarat: Heavy rain causes flood like situation in Surendranagar, water enters residential areas pic.twitter.com/YPlMWAbT0V
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 16, 2017
I appreciate relief & rescue operations by NDRF – India’s elite disaster mitigation combat force in flood affected area of Surendranagar. pic.twitter.com/JpyNNiGpPB
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 15, 2017
Called a high-level meeting to take stock of the heavy rains in the state & instructed officials to stay alert for any possible emergency. pic.twitter.com/IB7EUr1sfK
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/pkumarias/status/886557884456214530
#NDRF Rescued 20 men in Balambha Jodia Taluka. It's pan area filled with water. @vijayrupanibjp @BhupendraSinh1 @CollectorJamngr pic.twitter.com/XaEeIyMjqE
— Pankaj Kumar, IAS (@pkumarias) July 16, 2017
