Surat (Gujarat) [India], July 23 : With extremely heavy rainfall lashing South Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has deputed senior ministers and officials to oversee relief work.
According to the Commissionerate of Information, CM Bhupendra Patel has deputed Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel, and senior secretaries to assist the administration in Surat, Valsad, and Navsari districts affected by heavy rainfall. In-charge secretaries have been instructed to immediately reach districts under Red Alert for rain-related preparedness and response.
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South Gujarat districts remained on high alert on Thursday as extremely heavy rainfall triggered waterlogging, river swelling, and large-scale evacuations, with authorities issuing red alerts and closing schools and colleges across Surat, Navsari and Valsad.
The India Meteorological Department has issued rain warnings across Gujarat, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall in several districts over the next three days, prompting district administrations and the Surat Municipal Corporation to launch 24x7 relief and rescue operations.
Surat city is under a Red Alert due to heavy rainfall. District Collector Tejas Parmar said the administration is "fully on alert" for Surat district, with heavy rainfall expected between 10:00 PM Wednesday and 4:00 AM Thursday.
"Evacuation of people from low-lying areas has begun by NDRF and relief teams. Appeal to residents of low-lying areas to fully cooperate with the administration. Avoid rumors; trust only news validated by the government," Parmar posted on X.
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The Surat Municipal Corporation deployed teams for rapid drainage in key areas. At Monarch Junction on Pal Gaurav Path Road in Rander Zone, SMC workers launched operations to clear rainwater.
In Athwa Zone, immediate de-watering operations were undertaken to eliminate waterlogging and restore normal life.
Relief centres set up by SMC are providing continuous assistance. Milk and food packets were distributed in the morning to residents relocated from affected areas. Medical teams are also conducting health check-ups and monitoring at the centres.
In a timely rescue, 11 residents, including children, were safely evacuated from Krishna Nagar area of Pandesara village and shifted to a secure location, officials said.
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Navsari district is also under a Red Alert. District Collector Manish Gurwani said the district received an average of 6.5 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Chikhli and Vansda recorded nearly 10 inches each, while Khergam received around 8 inches.
"The Kaveri River has crossed its danger mark of 19 feet and is currently flowing at 21 feet. The Ambika is also flowing beyond danger level, while the Poorna is close to it," Gurwani said during a review from the District Emergency Operation Centre.
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The Juj Dam has overflowed, and the Keliya Dam is close to overflowing. Authorities have asked residents of villages along both dams and riverbanks not to go near the water and to follow administrative instructions.

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Around 1000 people have been shifted to shelter homes so far, with food and medical facilities arranged. Two SDRF teams have been deployed in Navsari and Bilimora and remain on standby.
As a precaution, all anganwadis, primary and secondary schools, colleges and ITIs in the district remained closed on Wednesday and will stay shut on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Online classes may continue.
"Poorna river is flowing very close to dangerous level. We request people to stay alert & follow Administration's instructions for shifting," the Collector posted.
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In view of the heavy rainfall situation in Valsad, the Commissionerate of Information announced that all factories and industrial units in the district will remain closed on Thursday.
"Priority to workers' safety and public interest; instructions to retain only minimal staff for essential services," the statement said.
The district administration also appealed to citizens to "stay at a safe place and not to step out of their homes without any reason." Collector and District Development Officer have requested that except for extremely essential work, people should not step out and must follow instructions issued from time to time.
All schools in Valsad district have been declared closed on Thursday, July 23.
In Pardi taluka, 103 people were safely relocated from low-lying villages after water entered homes. The affected included 6 people from Kumbhariya, 9 from Palsana, 39 from Tighara, 11 from Bagwada, 6 from Umarsadi and 32 from Amli.
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A section of railway track near Khadki village in Pardi was washed away, and repair work was immediately undertaken after notifying railway authorities.
In a swift operation early Wednesday, the administration rescued a private bus from Nashik that was trapped in floodwaters at Ambheti in Nanaponda. Around 16 passengers were safely evacuated. Barricades were later set up, and the route was closed for traffic.

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The District Disaster Management Control Room is monitoring the situation round the clock.
According to IMD, authorities have advised people to check local traffic updates before travelling and avoid waterlogged areas and underpasses. During thunderstorms, residents have been advised to stay indoors, keep doors and windows closed, unplug sensitive electronic equipment and avoid taking shelter under trees.
Residents living in old or dilapidated buildings and those near riverbanks have been advised to move to safer locations. Fishermen have also been advised against venturing into the sea as fishing activities may be severely disrupted.