Surat: Several parts of Surat city were submerged after heavy rainfall since early Wednesday, with low-lying pockets facing waterlogging and flood-like conditions as creeks swelled and overflowed. Areas around Bhedwad creek were among the worst affected, with residents reporting repeated inundation as the creek breached its banks. Parts of Saniya village were also submerged in floodwaters.The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) deployed teams to issue warnings in creekside localities, urging people to remain alert and move to safer places with essential belongings. Announcements were made on the ground using handheld megaphones. Civic officials said residents from vulnerable and low-lying areas were being shifted to safer locations, while changes were made to bus routes to reduce the risk of accidents on waterlogged roads.As a precautionary measure, the fire department positioned boats at 16 locations for possible rescue operations. Four teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also deployed. In the afternoon, the Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA) issued an advisory asking textile traders to close shops early if work for the day was completed.“Since a red alert has been declared, SMC teams are working to ensure a normal situation in the city. Additional teams of NDRF and SDRF have been called. People should stay at safe places till the situation becomes normal,” Municipal Commissioner M Nagrajan said.Heavy rain was also recorded across Surat district. Parts of Palsana village were inundated, while the Mindhola River was reported to be flowing bank to bank, raising flood concerns. Authorities said rising water levels in rural creeks increased inflows into channels passing through the city, contributing to urban flooding.In south Gujarat, rivers in districts also swelled. The Daman Ganga River was overflowing in Vapi.Ukai dam inflow rose to 41,510 cusecs by Wednesday afternoon, with the reservoir level at 313.34 feet. A red alert was also issued for Dang, with residents advised to stay alert and avoid venturing out.People stranded in flood rescuedPrivate bus passengers from Nashik were rescued after getting stranded in floodwaters at Valsad’s Nanapondha. “The bus was carrying 16 passengers, comprising six women, seven men and three children. All the passengers were safely rescued on Wednesday morning,” an official release stated. Moreover, NDRF rescued three stranded workers after waterlogging at a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Valsad city. In Abrama, a car attempting to cross a flooded stretch got stranded, and a man and a girl were rescued by local residents. The police’s 112 emergency response team also rescued passengers from a bus stranded on a submerged road near Ambheti village in Nanapondha.
