Surat is grappling with severe flooding after torrential rains exceeding 100 mm (approximately 8 inches) inundated the city, paralyzing low-lying areas. The intense downpour, which began on June 23, 2025, has led to widespread waterlogging, causing significant disruption to daily life, school closures, and emergency evacuations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Surat and surrounding regions in South and Central Gujarat, forecasting continued heavy rainfall. A Red Alert had been in place until 10 AM on June 24th for Surat, Vadodara, Tapi, Narmada and Navsari. The IMD had also issued a Yellow Alert for other districts, cautioning of thunderstorms and heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The deluge resulted in a flood-like situation, with streets turning into rivers and floodwaters entering homes and shops. Many areas, including Punagam and Parvat village road, reported knee-deep water. Commuters faced severe challenges as major roads, particularly those along the Tapi River, were shut down due to water accumulation. Several vehicles were submerged, and traffic was brought to a standstill. More than 200 city bus trips were canceled.
Authorities have responded by deploying disaster response units, including teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), to vulnerable areas. The Fire Department has evacuated over 100 people, including children, from affected schools and residential areas. In Varachha, 28 students were rescued from a school surrounded by floodwater. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated water de-pumping operations in low-lying areas to mitigate the impact of waterlogging. A total of 1,908 sanitation workers have been deployed across the city for clean-up operations.
The heavy rainfall, with Surat city recording 346 mm in a 24-hour period, has drawn comparisons to the devastating 2006 Surat floods. On June 23, the city experienced a cloudburst-like situation, leaving residents stranded and forcing schools to declare a holiday. District Collector Sourabh Pardhi instructed all schools to remain closed, prioritizing the safe return of students to their homes. The State Emergency Operations Centre reported that 159 talukas received rainfall, with Jodiya recording the highest at 7.17 inches.
The current crisis echoes the devastation Gujarat faced in August 2024, when heavy rainfall caused severe flooding and resulted in the loss of lives. The Surat Municipal Corporation, with support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), has been working on long-term flood mitigation strategies, including the Tapi Riverfront Rejuvenation Project.
While the immediate focus remains on rescue and relief efforts, authorities are urging citizens to stay indoors, avoid flooded areas, and remain updated through local administration and emergency services. The Municipal Commissioner of Surat is closely monitoring the situation from the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), ensuring swift action and necessary measures to manage the crisis and minimize disruption.
