Gujarat floods claim 28 lives amid heavy rains

Heavy rains in Gujarat have led to severe flooding, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and the displacement of over 24,000 individuals since Sunday. The overflowing rivers and reservoirs have surpassed danger levels, prompting the Indian army and national disaster response teams to initiate rescue and relief operations in the most affected regions. The state remains on high alert as meteorological forecasts indicate that heavy rainfall is expected to persist for several more days. Historically, Gujarat is prone to flooding during the monsoon season, with past incidents causing significant loss of life and property. In 2017, for instance, more than 200 people died due to relentless rainfall. The geographical layout of the state, characterized by flat terrain through which major rivers flow, exacerbates the flooding risk, as water accumulates before reaching the sea. The Saurashtra region has been particularly hard-hit, experiencing continuous rainfall for nearly 48 hours. This has disrupted transport services, leading to the cancellation of 48 trains on Wednesday. Stranded individuals have required helicopter rescues, highlighting the severity of the situation. Farmers have reported extensive damage to crops, including cotton and groundnut, due to the downpour. Weather officials anticipate that the heavy rains may begin to subside by September 1, as a deep depression in the Arabian Sea shifts towards Pakistan, potentially alleviating the immediate crisis in Gujarat.