Red alert in Gujarat: IMD warns of more ‘exceptionally heavy’ rainfall, logistics movement severely impacted
GANDHINAGAR : Gujarat is grappling with a flood-like situation as relentless rainfall continues to batter the state, with authorities warning of more downpours in the coming days. The deep depression over Saurashtra and Kachchh, currently centred 50 km north-northwest of Bhuj, is expected to intensify as it moves towards the northeast Arabian Sea, bringing further heavy rainfall across the region.
Gujarat have severely impacted the transport movement across the state, leading to significant disruptions in the supply chain and logistics sector. The relentless downpour on Tuesday and Wednesday caused waterlogging on all major highways, bringing transportation operations almost to a halt.
State owned Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) ICD Khodiyar has issued a Trade Advisory on Tuesday towards Restrictions on Movement of Containers by road due to flood situation in route between ICD Khodiyar and Dronagiri in Navi Mumbai till the situation normalise.
Akhil Gujarat Truck Transport Association (AGTTA) estimated that the transport movement is reported to be 80% less than usual within Gujarat, severely affecting the movement of goods to ports and stalling dispatches from key industrial hubs.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red’ alert for several districts in Gujarat, including Vadodara, Chhotaudepur, Narmada, Bharuch, and Surat, among others.
IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav said the deep depression is moving at a speed of 12 kmph and is expected to cause “extremely heavy to exceptionally heavy” rainfall in the Saurashtra and Kachchh regions. The situation is likely to persist, with heavy rainfall warnings extending over the next four days.
In Vadodara, the situation is particularly dire. The city has been submerged under several feet of water for two consecutive days, with some areas reportedly inundated by up to 12 feet. The Vishwamitri River, which flows through Vadodara, has swelled to 37 feet—well above the danger mark—after heavy rainfall and the release of water from the Ajwa dam. This has resulted in severe flooding across the city, prompting the state government to call in the Army to assist in relief and rescue operations.
The State Health Minister, Mr. Rushikesh Patel, described the situation in Vadodara as “alarming.” The local administration has already evacuated over 5,000 residents to safer locations and rescued nearly 1,200 stranded individuals.
Patel said that additional Army columns, along with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, have been deployed to expedite relief efforts.
Despite these measures, large parts of the city remain underwater, with crucial areas like Siddharth Nagar, Akota, and Fatehgunj among the worst affected.
