The Gujarat government has instructed all district administrations to stay vigilant round-the-clock, deploy disaster response teams as needed, and evacuate residents promptly from vulnerable areas due to ongoing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across various parts of the state. This directive came following a high-level review meeting led by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi in Gandhinagar. The meeting, conducted via video conference, assessed the rainfall situation and disaster management readiness in districts experiencing intense rainfall.
Authorities, including Collectors, Superintendents of Police, and other officials from multiple districts like Surat, Navsari, Valsad, and Ahmedabad, were engaged in discussions with Sanghavi to evaluate the ground conditions and response strategies being implemented. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized the need for operational control rooms 24/7 in all districts to monitor weather changes continuously and respond promptly to any emergencies. Additionally, he urged the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams in flood-prone areas and low-lying regions.
In line with the government’s directives, officials were tasked with evacuating individuals from areas susceptible to waterlogging or flooding to safer locations swiftly. Adequate provisions of food, water, and medical aid for the affected population were also emphasized. The meeting also scrutinized the status of essential public services, with a focus on ensuring minimal disruption to daily life by monitoring road conditions, electricity supply, and communication networks to uphold public safety amid the heavy rainfall period. Sanghavi stressed the government’s commitment to citizens’ safety during disasters and assured effective coordination among district administrations for a rapid response.
Restoration efforts were underway in Amreli district, where heavy rainfall had disrupted electricity supply in 88 villages. The government reported the deployment of 192 teams to restore power in the affected regions, with significant progress made in repairing feeders and electricity poles. Notably, a substantial number of transformers in Amreli and Gir Somnath have been reactivated, leading to the restoration of electricity in over 80 villages, with work ongoing in the remaining impacted areas.
