Incessant rain batters Saurashtra districts

Rajkot: Incessant rain for the fourth consecutive day on Monday caused widespread flooding and disruption in the Saurashtra region. The most affected places were Kalyanpur taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Upleta taluka in Rajkot district, and Manavadar taluka of Junagadh. Kalyanpur taluka received over 270 mm of the total 281 mm rainfall during the day in just four hours, leaving many villages inundated and isolated.
The district administration launched rescue operations, summoning the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).Three persons stranded on a farm in Kalyanpur taluka were airlifted to safety by an IAF helicopter, while the NDRF team rescued eight people from the villages of Keshvpura and Tankariya. Two additional NDRF teams were deployed in the district to assist with ongoing rescue efforts even as rain continued to pound the district.
Infrastructure was severely impacted, with the national highway connecting Porbandar and Dwarka becoming impassable due to waterlogging near Lamba. Dwarka town received 135 mm of rainfall, adding to the challenges that the residents and authorities were already facing due to waterlogging in several areas.
G T Pandya, Devbhumi Dwarka district collector, said, “The people trapped in Keshavpura and Tankaria were rescued by local people, the team of mamlatdar, and NDRF personnel. However, for those trapped on a farm in Paneli village, it was very difficult even for the NDRF to reach them as the water level was high.”
“Thanks to the CM office and relief commissioner’s efforts, an IAF helicopter was sent which airlifted three persons and took them to Jamnagar. They are fine and have been taken for a medical check-up at Khambhaliya. They will be brought back to their village once the water recedes,” said Pandya.
The Devbhumi Dwarka administration has issued warnings to those living in low-lying areas near dams, as most of the dams in the district are filled to their maximum capacity. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and avoid crossing roads near causeways.
Upleta taluka in Rajkot district received 132 mm of rain in four hours, with Lath village being severely affected. The village, situated at the confluence of three rivers — Moj, Venu, and Bhadar — was submerged by the rising waters. In Upleta town, floodwaters entered schools, and parents had to brave waterlogged streets on tractors to bring their children home safely. An SDRF team had to rescue ten people, including two children, who were trapped on the outskirts of the village.
Junagadh district also faced the consequences of heavy rainfall, with Manavadar (198mm) and Visavadar (149mm) talukas receiving significant amounts of rain.
A R Ranavasia, the Junagadh district collector, said that 1,100 people had been evacuated from low-lying and slum areas in Manavadar taluka and provided with food packets and drinking water. The heavy rain also took a toll on infrastructure in Junagadh, with 76 panchayat roads being closed due to overflowing water. At least 48 villages across four talukas, including 22 in Manavadar, were rendered inaccessible.
NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed to assist the villagers. With 14 out of 19 dams overflowing, 86 villages downstream of the dam were placed on high alert.
The Junagadh police have been actively involved in rescue and relief operations, saving individuals swept away by floodwaters and shifting elders, children, and women to safer locations.
Porbandar’s Ranavav and Kutiyana talukas also experienced significant rainfall, contributing to the overall impact of the heavy rain on the Saurashtra region.