Gandhinagar, July 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat authorities intensified emergency preparedness and rescue operations on Wednesday as heavy rainfall continued to affect parts of South Gujarat, prompting high-level reviews, evacuations from vulnerable areas and the deployment of disaster response teams across Surat, Valsad, Navsari and Dang districts.
Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik chaired a statewide video conference from Police Bhavan with all police commissioners, district superintendents of police, range heads and State Reserve Police (SRP) group commandants to review the law and order situation and the impact of heavy rainfall in South Gujarat.
During the meeting, Malik directed police officers to remain on constant vigil to maintain peace, safety and security across the state and to ensure the protection of government properties and offices.
He also instructed officials to strengthen cyber monitoring to prevent rumours and AI-generated fake videos from spreading on social media amid the prevailing situation.
The meeting also reviewed the rainfall situation in the affected districts of South Gujarat.
Police personnel were instructed to remain on standby in coordination with local administrations for evacuating residents from low-lying areas, carrying out relief and rescue operations and supporting disaster management efforts.
SRP teams and local police were directed to remain on alert to ensure public safety, maintain traffic movement and keep emergency services operational despite the adverse weather.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) expanded its deployment across vulnerable locations in coordination with the civil administration.
The 06 Battalion NDRF stationed one team at Parvat Patiya in Surat following reports of increasing waterlogging and another at the Surat Municipal Corporation's South Zone office in Udhana to strengthen emergency preparedness.
In Valsad district, NDRF teams were deployed in vulnerable low-lying localities including Hanuman Bagda, Darudiya Ward, Tariya Ward and nearby areas to monitor conditions and respond to any flooding or waterlogging emergencies.
Rescue operations were also carried out in Valsad district. Sixteen passengers travelling on a private bus stranded on the Koparli-Vapi road near Ambheti in Nanapondha taluka were rescued safely through a joint effort by the local police, the Ambheti Gram Panchayat and local villagers.
Following the rescue, barricades were erected on both sides of the road, and the route was closed to vehicular traffic as a precautionary measure.
In a separate incident in Valsad city, three workers trapped after floodwater entered an STP plant behind the Pali Hill area were rescued by an NDRF team. All three workers were brought to safety without injuries.
In Surat, where the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert following heavy rainfall since early morning, the municipal corporation and district administration launched relief and evacuation measures.
A total of 100 people comprising 31 boys, 54 girls and 15 staff members from Adarsh Residential School in East Zone-B were shifted to a nearby Surat Municipal Corporation relief centre.
Nine residents from low-lying areas in the Udhana and Limbayat zones were also evacuated and accommodated at Saroli Nagar Primary School.
Medical teams were deployed at relief centres to conduct health check-ups and monitor those who had been relocated.
The Surat Municipal Corporation appealed to residents living in low-lying areas of Limbayat to move to municipal relief centres or other safe locations on higher ground.
Mayor Maya Mavani, Standing Committee Chairman Rajan Patel and corporators visited Pramukh Park in Udhana, Athwa Zone and low-lying areas of Azadnagar-Rasulabad to assess the situation and instructed officials to expedite relief measures and relocate affected residents to shelter homes where required.
Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan separately inspected Udhana-Sachin Main Road, Bhedwad Creek, Pramukh Park, the Chosath Jogani Mata Temple area, Bhimrad Metro Station Road and Khatushyam Temple Road to review preparedness.
He directed municipal officials to remain in the field continuously, closely monitor rainfall conditions and ensure timely and effective relief and rescue operations.
In Dang district, the State Roads and Buildings Department launched round-the-clock work to reduce waterlogging on the Waghai-Ahwa road following continuous rainfall.
Roadside waterways, drainage channels and natural water flow paths are being cleaned, while machinery and manpower have been deployed to remove blockages and facilitate drainage.
Under the supervision of Executive Engineer Ketan Kunkana, emergency teams have been deployed across major district roads for continuous monitoring, repairs and drainage work.
The department appealed to motorists to travel cautiously, reduce speed on waterlogged stretches and follow official advisories.
In neighbouring Navsari district, the administration issued alerts as the water level of the Purna River continued to rise because of rainfall in upstream areas.
Fire and Emergency Services teams carried out patrols in low-lying localities and made public announcements through loudspeakers urging residents to remain alert, avoid riverbanks and waterlogged roads, follow official instructions and disregard rumours.
Source: IANS
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