Ahmedabad Battered by Rains: Schools Closed, Rescue Operations Underway

Ahmedabad and several areas in Gujarat have been severely impacted by heavy rainfall causing waterlogging and traffic disruptions. All primary schools will be closed, and the NDRF has been involved in rescue operations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized the priority of preventing loss of life and ensuring safe evacuations.

Several areas of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, experienced severe waterlogging on Monday due to continuous heavy rainfall, causing people and vehicles to wade through knee-deep waters and leading to significant traffic snarls across the city.

In response to the unrelenting downpour, the State Education Minister Praful Pansheriya announced that all primary schools in Gujarat would remain closed on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for the state over the next 2-3 days.

The torrential rains over the past two days have inundated parts of Gujarat, displacing hundreds of residents. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted relief and rescue operations in Valsad, including rescuing a pregnant woman. Rising water levels in the Sardar Sarovar Dam have also been observed. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel convened a high-level meeting to address the crisis, urging for the safe evacuation of residents from low-lying areas and enforcing strict measures to prevent accidents. As of Monday, 17,827 people have been evacuated, with 1,653 rescued by NDRF and SDRF teams.

(With inputs from agencies.)