Red Alert in South Gujarat; Rescue Teams Intensify Evacuation Efforts
Rescue and relief operations have been intensified across South Gujarat as heavy rainfall continues to affect several districts, with the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Army personnel in the worst-hit areas.
According to an official release, three NDRF teams and five SDRF teams are currently deployed in Valsad district to assist the local administration in rescue, relief and evacuation operations. Two additional NDRF teams from New Delhi are expected to arrive later on Thursday.
To strengthen the response, a contingent of 70 Army personnel, equipped with five boats, along with a 25-member Fire Department team, is also being deployed in Valsad to support ongoing operations.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has deputed senior ministers and officials to supervise relief efforts in the affected districts.
According to the Commissionerate of Information, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel and senior secretaries have been assigned to assist district administrations in Surat, Valsad and Navsari, which have been severely affected by heavy rainfall. In-charge secretaries have also been directed to immediately reach districts placed under Red Alert to oversee preparedness and response measures.
South Gujarat remained on high alert on Thursday as intense rainfall led to widespread waterlogging, rising river levels and large-scale evacuations. Authorities have ordered the closure of schools and colleges in Surat, Navsari and Valsad as a precautionary measure.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall across several districts of Gujarat over the next three days, prompting district administrations and the Surat Municipal Corporation to maintain round-the-clock rescue and relief operations.
Surat city continues to remain under a Red Alert. District Collector Tejas Parmar said the administration is fully prepared to respond to the evolving situation and confirmed that evacuation of residents from low-lying areas has already begun with the assistance of NDRF and other relief teams.
He appealed to people living in vulnerable areas to cooperate with authorities during evacuation efforts and urged citizens to rely only on official information while avoiding rumours.
-ANI
