Surat battered by 358 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, over 3,800 shifted; 9 fatalities in district so far

Surat, Jul 8 (PTI) At least nine people have died in rain-related incidents in Surat district of Gujarat in the last few days while the city was battered by 358 mm of rainfall in 24 hours ending Wednesday morning, leading to a flood-like situation in creek area and large-scale water-logging which disrupted normal life. More than 3,400 people were rescued and over 3,800 shifted from low-lying areas of the city, officials said. Palasana taluka received the highest rainfall at 18.19 inches (462 mm) during the 24 hours. Surat city received 14.09 inches, or 358 mm of rainfall, between 6 am on Tuesday and 6 am on Wednesday, according to data from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC). Though the rain halted later, the situation remained dire in the city and surrounding areas. "After heavy rains started lashing Surat district, nine individuals, including children, have been reported dead until Wednesday," Surat disaster deputy mamlatdar Sajid Merujay told PTI. The deaths were caused by electrocution in Mangrol, Rander, Maan Darwaja and Pandesara areas, tree-fall in Varachcha, and drownings in a rainwater-filled pit in Sachin GIDC. As rains pummelled Surat, water entered several houses, commercial complexes, and shops, submerging ground-floor commercial establishments at Poddar Arcade in Varachha. Public transportation, including city bus services, was disrupted due to waterlogging. Videos on social media showed people walking through knee-deep water. Many were seen pushing stalled two-wheelers through water-filled roads. "Due to waterlogging in 187 spots, a total of 3,489 people have been rescued, and 3,897 people have been shifted to relief centres," the Surat Municipal Corporation said in a statement, adding that 12,218 food packets, 5,150 water bottles and 400 milk packets were distributed. Areas near Khadi (creek), including Limbayat, Udhna, Varachha and Kadodara, are marooned, Surat Collector Tejas Parmar told PTI. Food packets were also distributed in high-rise buildings situated in waterlogged areas of the city, he said. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and five teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for rescue operations. "Flood relief and rescue operations were carried out by NDRF Team 6 in the Mithikhadi area of Surat, with female personnel safely rescuing citizens," said a post on the official X handle of the Surat Collector. NDRF teams were seen rescuing people from areas with chest-deep water using boats, while police personnel were seen carrying children in their arms. "As a safety measure, a holiday was declared on July 8 for all schools, colleges and anganwadis in the district. Citizens are requested not to step out of their homes unless absolutely necessary," the collector said. Meanwhile, residents and business owners expressed disappointment over the severe water-logging. "I am a small businessman, and my shop is located in Yash Plaza Complex on Varachha Road. All the shops in this area are flooded, and shopkeepers like me are suffering financial losses due to the administration's failure to manage the situation," Mahesh Gadhiya told reporters. Ruchita Savat said the ground floor of her residence is completely submerged. "We have not even received food packets yet. There is no electricity, food, or access to basic necessities," she said. Palasana taluka received 18.19 inches (462 mm) of rainfall between 6 am on Tuesday and 6 am on Wednesday, followed by Kamrej logging 17.40 inches (442 mm). Bardoli received 9.37 inches (238 mm), and Ambika received 9.25 inches (235 mm) of rainfall. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the situation at a cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar. He will visit Surat and Valsad on Thursday. He instructed ministers to visit rain-affected districts to oversee relief and rescue operations. The ministers were asked to personally assess the preparedness of the district administration and disaster management machinery in rain-affected areas, said government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani. He said the Cabinet expressed condolences over 11 fatalities in rain-related incidents, Vaghani added. PTI KVM PJT PD KRK NSK