At least 28 people have lost their lives in Gujarat over the past three days as relentless heavy rains continue to batter the state. Nearly 18,000 residents have been evacuated from flood-affected areas, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing warnings of more extremely heavy rainfall in 11 districts today.

According to reports from the Gujarat government, fatalities have been recorded across multiple districts: one person each in Morbi, Vadodara, Bharuch, Jamnagar, Aravalli, Panchmahal, Dwarka, and Dang; six in Anand; four in Ahmedabad; and two in Gandhinagar, Kheda, Mahisagar, Dahod, and Surendranagar districts. Among the deceased are seven individuals who went missing after a tractor-trolley they were in was swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway in Morbi district.

The IMD has issued a red alert for 11 districts across Gujarat, primarily focusing on the Kachchh and Saurashtra regions. A yellow alert has also been issued for 22 districts, covering North, Central, and South Gujarat. The ongoing heavy downpour is being attributed to a deep depression in the region, with forecasts predicting that the system will move towards the Arabian Sea by August 30.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation and assured the state's government of the Centre’s full support. Meanwhile, rescue operations are ongoing across the state, with over 6,000 people being relocated to safer locations as water levels in rivers and dams continue to rise.

Despite a slight break in rainfall in Vadodara, flooding continues to affect low-lying areas, particularly after the Vishwamitri river breached its banks and flooded residential neighborhoods. The Gujarat government has requested assistance from the Indian Army, deploying six columns in Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi, and Rajkot districts. Additionally, 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) platoons and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) platoons have been mobilized to assist with relief efforts.

Images and videos from across Gujarat reveal widespread flooding and waterlogged streets, with rescue teams working to evacuate people from the hardest-hit areas. In Vadodara, the road leading to the Statue of Unity has also been severely damaged due to the heavy rains.

The IMD warns of continued localized flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas, particularly in urban regions, as the depression makes its way out of Gujarat towards the Arabian Sea.