India – 400 Rescued From Floods in Gujarat

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.

NDRF flood rescue in Surendranagar, Gujarat, India July 2017. Photo: NDRF / Government of Gujarat

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

https://twitter.com/pkumarias/status/886557884456214530

Flood Summary

Last updated: August 2, 2017
Event
Gujarat, India, July 2017
Date
July 15 to July 17, 2017
Type
Flash flood, River flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall
Long-term heavy rainfall, particularly from early / mid July, caused flooding in several districts of Gujarat. The airport in Ahmedabad Airport was partially flooded on 26 July, forcing airlines to divert flights. Reuters reported that tens of thousands of cotton farmers also suffering heavy damage.

Locations

A - Banaskantha
B - Gandhinagar
C - Arvalli
D - Rajkot
E - Devbhoomi Dwarka
F - Gir Somnath
G - Kutch
H - Surendranagar
I - Sabarkatha
J - Patan
K - Ahmedabad
L - Mahesana

Magnitude

Rainfall level
322 mm in 24 hours
Abdasa, Kutch - July 15 to July 16, 2017
Rainfall level
259 mm in 24 hours
Jodia, Jamnagar - July 15 to July 16, 2017
Rainfall level
236 mm in 24 hours
Dasada, Surendranagar - July 15 to July 16, 2017
Rainfall level
206 mm in 24 hours
Rajkot - July 15 to July 16, 2017
Rainfall level
277 mm in 24 hours
Valsad, Valsad district - July 18 to July 18, 2017
Rainfall level
201 mm in 24 hours
Choryasi, Surat district - July 19 to July 19, 2017
Rainfall level
180 mm in 24 hours
Mangrol, Surat district - July 20 to July 20, 2017
Rainfall level
169 mm in 24 hours
Veraval, Gir Somnath district - July 21 to July 21, 2017
Rainfall level
325 mm in 24 hours
Chotila, Surendranagar district - July 22 to July 22, 2017
Rainfall level
219 mm in 24 hours
Kalol, Gandhinagar district - July 23 to July 23, 2017
Rainfall level
342 mm in 24 hours
Dantiwada, Banaskantha district - July 24 to July 24, 2017
Rainfall level
463 mm in 24 hours
Dantiwada, Banaskantha district - July 25 to July 25, 2017
Rainfall level
219 mm in 24 hours
Himatanagar, Sabarkantha district - July 26 to July 26, 2017
River level
44.8 metres
Sabarmati River at Subhash Bridge, Ahmedabad - July 25 to July 25, 2017
Danger level is 45.4
River level
21.2 metres
Sabarmati River at Vautha, Ahmadabad district - July 28 to July 28, 2017
Flood level is 21 metres

Damages

Fatalities
218 people
July 15 to August 1, 2017
The death toll increased dramatically as officials found more than 100 bodies once waters began receding.
Rescued
400 people
July 15 to July 17, 2017
Evacuated
32,000
July 18 to July 27, 2017
Buildings destroyed
15 buildings
July 15 to July 26, 2017
A further 65 homes have been damaged, according to a National Disaster Management Division report of 26 July.
Affected
350,000
July 15 to July 26, 2017
according to a National Disaster Management Division report of 26 July.