Heavy rainfall continued to lash Gujarat on Thursday, causing severe flooding across several districts, with Valsad emerging as the worst-hit. A viral video from Vapi town captured the extent of the devastation, showing dozens of cars almost completely submerged after torrential rain inundated the area.
The footage, recorded from an upper floor of a nearby building, shows floodwater filling a residential parking area, with the water level reaching the windows of parked vehicles. Roads and surrounding neighbourhoods were also seen submerged, reflecting the widespread impact of the relentless downpour.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), Umbergaon in Valsad received an unprecedented 1,100 mm of rainfall in just 16 hours till
Thursday morning. Several other talukas in the district also recorded more than 600 mm of rain during the same period, making Valsad the hardest-hit district in the latest spell of monsoon showers.
The intense rainfall caused the Auranga, Par and Daman Ganga rivers to overflow, flooding several low-lying areas. As water levels rose rapidly, authorities shifted thousands of residents to safer locations. Officials told PTI that more than 2,200 people from vulnerable areas in Surat city were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Floods in Valsad, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/vQCKTi350r
— Mumbai Rains (@rushikesh_agre_) July 23, 2026
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Valsad, Navsari, Dangs, Surat and Tapi districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday. Authorities have been asked to remain on high alert as rescue and relief operations continue across the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has deputed several ministers to the rain-hit districts to monitor the situation on the ground and coordinate rescue and relief efforts with local authorities.
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