Heavy rainfall in Valsad: Additional NDRF, SDRF, Army and fire teams deployed for rescue and relief ops

As per the release, two additional NDRF teams from New Delhi will arrive this evening.

In addition, a team of 70 Army personnel, along with five boats and a Fire Department team of 25 personnel, is being deployed to Valsad. They will assist the district administration in carrying out rescue and relief operations amid the heavy rainfall situation.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has deputed senior ministers and officials to oversee relief work.

According to the Commissionerate of Information, CM Patel has deputed Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel, and senior secretaries to assist the administration in Surat, Valsad, and Navsari districts affected by heavy rainfall. In-charge secretaries have been instructed to immediately reach districts under Red Alert for rain-related preparedness and response.

South Gujarat districts remained on high alert on Thursday as extremely heavy rainfall triggered waterlogging, river swelling, and large-scale evacuations, with authorities issuing red alerts and closing schools and colleges across Surat, Navsari and Valsad.

The India Meteorological Department has issued rain warnings across Gujarat, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall in several districts over the next three days, prompting district administrations and the Surat Municipal Corporation to launch 24x7 relief and rescue operations.

Surat city is under a Red Alert due to heavy rainfall. District Collector Tejas Parmar said the administration is "fully on alert" for Surat district, with heavy rainfall expected between 10:00 PM Wednesday and 4:00 AM Thursday.

"Evacuation of people from low-lying areas has begun by NDRF and relief teams. Appeal to residents of low-lying areas to fully cooperate with the administration. Avoid rumours; trust only news validated by the government," Parmar posted on X. (ANI)