Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel reviews monsoon response as 16,500 people evacuated

On July 31, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made a late‑night visit to the State Emergency Operations Centre to assess preparations after the meteorological department warned of a possible red alert in ten districts. He ordered district collectors to keep high alert and directed senior officials to remain vigilant.

The state has placed two army units each on standby in Ahmedabad, Navsari and Surat, and Indian Air Force helicopters are on standby in Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Vadodara and Pune for rescue operations. Officials reported that more than 16,500 residents have already been moved to safe locations, and 41 people have been rescued from flood‑affected areas. Rainfall was recorded in 201 talukas, accounting for about 61.5% of the season’s total. Senior officials present included Chief Secretary M.K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi, GSDMA CEO Dhaval Patel and Relief Commissioner Gaurav Makwana.