The state government in Gujarat has intensified its efforts in response to heavy rainfall in South Gujarat by sending senior ministers and top bureaucrats to the most affected districts. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel assigned Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel, and senior IAS officers Ramya Mohan and Alok Pandey to Surat, Valsad, and Navsari to aid the local administration in addressing the challenges brought by the downpour.
Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed the secretaries responsible for districts under a red alert for heavy rainfall by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to promptly head to their respective areas and assist in relief and response activities. Rescue and evacuation operations are ongoing in villages in the Sanjan area of Umargam, with further teams deployed in Dhodiyawad in Dolvan taluka of Tapi district.
Meanwhile, due to the relentless heavy rainfall and flood-like conditions, the Valsad district administration mandated the closure of all factories and industrial units in the district for the entirety of July 23. This decision, made in the interest of worker safety and public welfare, requires factory managements to ensure the safe return of all employees to their homes. Only essential staff for emergency services are permitted to remain on-site, with strict safety protocols in place.
The administration also emphasized the need for industrial units to secure hazardous chemicals, machinery, electrical systems, and critical equipment, urging compliance with safety directives issued by the district authorities. The Valsad district administration stressed that this immediate action prioritizes the well-being of workers and the broader public interest.
