A dangerous spell of monsoon rain is affecting Gujarat, where the India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for 13 districts and warned of exceptionally heavy rainfall through Saturday, August 1.
Several parts of central and southern Gujarat have already experienced severe waterlogging, flooded roads and rapid rises in rivers. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated in Surat district alone, while national and state rescue teams have been deployed across the region.
The heaviest rain is expected to continue across Gujarat Region and Saurashtra and Kutch, with isolated locations at risk of extremely intense downpours capable of producing flash floods.
The current event is part of a widespread, moisture-rich monsoon pattern affecting western and central India.
Rather than isolated afternoon storms, repeated bands of heavy rain are moving across the same districts. This allows rainfall totals to build quickly, while already saturated soil becomes less able to absorb additional water.
When intense rain falls over saturated ground, runoff enters rivers, roads and low-lying communities much faster. Even a short burst can therefore trigger flash flooding, particularly in urban areas, narrow valleys and locations near overflowing drainage channels.
The IMD has warned that exceptionally heavy rainfall is possible at isolated places in Gujarat on August 1. Extremely heavy rain is also forecast over Saurashtra and Kutch, Konkan and Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra.
Up to 254 millimeters falls in Surat
Surat, Kheda and Anand were among the districts most affected on Friday, July 31.
Umarpada in Surat district received nearly 203 millimeters, or 8 inches, of rain, while Borsad in Anand recorded more than 152 millimeters, or 6 inches, by midday.
Across Surat district, rainfall totals ranged from approximately 76 to 254 millimeters, or 3 to 10 inches, in individual talukas.
Heavy rainfall reported from Surat city of Gujarat pic.twitter.com/OfKYhWIVRU
— Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) July 31, 2026
The intense rain caused widespread waterlogging and disrupted traffic across several districts. Roads were closed where water flowed over the surface, including the Ras-Virsad route in Anand district.
By Friday afternoon, authorities had moved 1,117 people from vulnerable rural areas of Surat district.
The largest evacuation took place in Mangrol taluka, where 321 residents were transferred from low-lying villages. Another 276 people were moved in Mandvi, 151 in Ambika, 99 in Olpad and 76 in Areth.
Evacuees were taken to schools, community halls, shelters and relatives’ homes, where food and accommodation were arranged.
Palsana and Umarpada remained under close observation as further rainfall raised the possibility of additional evacuations.
In neighbouring Dang district, water entered the Mahal Eklavya School campus in Subir taluka. All 311 students were transferred to another school.
At least 27 people, including two children, were also rescued from floodwater in Bodeli in Chhota Udaipur district.
Seventeen National Disaster Response Force teams, 33 State Disaster Response Force platoons and six Army columns have been deployed across Gujarat.
Emergency control rooms are operating around the clock, while excavators, tractors and rescue equipment have been positioned near flood-prone areas.
Twenty-one dams have been placed on high alert as inflows increase and rivers rise. Authorities are monitoring downstream communities because further rain or reservoir releases could rapidly worsen flooding.
Fishermen have been advised not to enter the sea until August 2 because of rough conditions and dangerous weather.
Schools closed as flash flood risk rises
Tapi district has closed schools, colleges, Anganwadi centres and other educational institutions on Saturday.
Officials have adopted a “Zero Casualty” approach and instructed local authorities to evacuate flood-prone communities within six hours whenever dangerous conditions develop.
The IMD has identified a low-to-moderate flash flood risk across a large part of Gujarat through Saturday morning.
The alert includes Ahmedabad, Anand, Aravalli, Bharuch, Chhota Udaipur, Dahod, Dang, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Narmada, Navsari, Sabarkantha, Surat, Tapi, Vadodara and Valsad.
Parts of Saurashtra and Kutch, including Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Morbi and Kutch, are also considered vulnerable.
Today's visuals of Ambika river in Gujarat, also exceptionally heavy rainfall recorded in the nearby rain gauges
— Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) July 31, 2026
Ambika recorded 467mm rainfall between 6am-8pm today
Dolvan 345mm
Vansda 336mm pic.twitter.com/8mNKPCJmB3
The wider storm pattern will bring heavy rain to Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, while thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected across other parts of India.
For Gujarat, the main danger is no longer rainfall alone. Saturated ground, swollen rivers and flooded drainage systems mean that any additional intense downpour could quickly trigger new evacuations, road closures and flash flooding through August 1.
