India – Thousands Displaced by Floods in Gujarat After 500mm of Rain in 24 Hours

by in Asia, News

Severe flooding in the state of Gujarat on the western coast of India has affected over 1.6 million people according to disaster authorities in the country. Some areas of the state recorded more than 500 mm of rain in 24 hours.

Flood rescue in Gujarat, India, September 2021. Photo: Collector Jamnagar

The Disaster Management Division of the country’s Home Affairs Ministry reported on 13 September that flooding over the last few days has affected 1,660,254 people across 44 villages in the districts of Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Valsad and Junagadh.

Evacuations have been carried out and 72 evacuation centres set up to house almost 7,000 displaced residents. As of 13 September, 2,553 people were displaced in Rajkot district, 3,966 in Jamnagar district, 224 in Porbandar district and 5 in Junagadh district.

Flooding has destroyed at least 5 houses and damaged 28 more. Two fatalities were also reported, including one person who drowned in flood water and another who died after a wall collapsed.

Dozens of roads have been closed due to floods and rain, including the State Highway-15 and National Highway-01.

Teams from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have been deployed to the area to carry out rescue and relief operations. At least 31 people were rescued by NDRF crews in Kalavad tehsil in Jamnagar. Air Force has used helicopters to rescue people stranded on roofs or in flood waters.

According to figures from Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), Lodhika in Rajkot district recorded 516 mmm of rain in 24 hours to 14 September 2021, while Kalavad in Jamnagar recorded 406 mm.

Flood rescue in Gujarat, India, September 2021. Photo: Collector Jamnagar

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