Gujarat on Red Alert After Torrential Rain Paralyzes Ahmedabad; Schools Shut Amid Flood Crisis
By Anil P. Kastuar
Editor, IBG NEWS
Ahmedabad, July 24, 2026: Gujarat witnessed one of the season’s most intense monsoon spells on Thursday as exceptionally heavy rainfall lashed Ahmedabad, inundating large parts of the city within hours and bringing normal life to a standstill. Authorities have placed the state on red alert as continuous heavy rain continues to threaten several districts.
According to official rainfall data, Ahmedabad received approximately 177 mm of rain in just two hours between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, an extraordinary downpour that overwhelmed the city’s drainage infrastructure and triggered widespread flooding.
City Brought to a Standstill
The intense rainfall rapidly submerged roads, residential neighbourhoods and commercial areas across Ahmedabad. Several key arterial roads turned into waterlogged stretches, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded while traffic movement slowed to a crawl.
Commuters faced severe inconvenience as floodwaters entered underpasses and low-lying areas, forcing authorities to divert traffic and temporarily close several routes.
Visuals from different parts of the city showed vehicles partially submerged in floodwater while emergency personnel worked to restore normalcy.
Educational Institutions Closed
In view of the prevailing weather conditions and forecasts of continued heavy rainfall, the authorities announced a holiday for all schools and colleges in Ahmedabad on July 24.
The precautionary measure aims to ensure the safety of students, teachers and educational staff as weather conditions remain unstable across the region.
Red Alert Across Gujarat
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has maintained a red alert for parts of Gujarat, warning of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by the possibility of flash floods, waterlogging and disruption to transport and public services.
Several districts across the state continue to receive moderate to heavy rainfall as the active southwest monsoon remains vigorous over western India.
Disaster management teams and local administrations have been placed on high alert to respond to any emergency arising from the ongoing weather conditions.
Flood Preparedness Under Scrutiny
The sudden cloudburst-like rainfall once again highlighted the challenges faced by urban infrastructure during extreme weather events.
Although civic agencies initiated pumping operations in several flood-prone locations, the intensity of the rainfall quickly overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems, leading to widespread waterlogging.
Urban planners and disaster management experts have repeatedly stressed the need for climate-resilient infrastructure as cities increasingly experience short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events associated with changing weather patterns.
Emergency Response Continues
Municipal authorities, disaster response teams and emergency services have been deployed across affected areas to clear waterlogged roads, monitor vulnerable locations and assist residents where required.
Officials have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded roads and waterlogged underpasses, and follow weather advisories issued by the administration.
Motorists have also been urged to exercise caution while driving through rain-affected areas as visibility and road conditions remain hazardous.
Monsoon Activity Likely to Continue
Meteorological forecasts indicate that heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue over parts of Gujarat over the next 24 to 48 hours. Authorities remain vigilant as additional rainfall could aggravate flooding in already affected areas.
With emergency services on standby and civic agencies working round the clock, the state administration continues to monitor the evolving situation while appealing to the public to remain alert and cooperate with safety advisories until weather conditions improve.
