AMC’s ‘monsoon action plan’ flops: Ahmedabad East flooded under 2 inches of rain in 1 hour

It took one hour of torrential rain on Wednesday evening to expose the cracks in Amdavad Municipal Corporation's ₹841.45 crore ‘monsoon action plan’. 

Over a nine-hour span, Maninagar and Odhav received nearly four inches of rain, resulting in widespread waterlogging across Vatva, Chakudiya, Viratnagar, Nikol, Ramol, and Kathwada.

Amid the heavy downpour, a severe waterlogging situation arose in Odhav. Near Ambikanagar in Odhav, a middle-aged man on a bike was swept away into the drainage line. During a search operation by the fire department, the man's dead body was recovered about 200 feet from the drainage point. The deceased was identified as 45-year-old Manubhai Panchal.

After nearly 9 hours, the fire department team found the dead body. A video of the incident has also surfaced, showing the man riding his bike straight into the drainage line.

The AMC closed underpasses in Maninagar South, Kubernagar, and Mithakhali due to water accumulation.

Even the area around the Odhav Fire Station was completely submerged, with water levels rising above waist height in several places.

Maninagar was hit especially hard, recording over two inches of rainfall between 7 pm and 8 pm. The downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, left key areas in East Ahmedabad inundated. Water entered homes and shops in low-lying zones, and severe traffic snarls followed as roads turned into waterways. 

Commuters stranded for hours

Office-goers and residents struggled to return home, with many reporting being stuck for four to five hours. Several vehicles were left stranded under the Hatkeshwar Bridge, one of the worst-hit spots.

“I reached Ghodasar from Corporate Road (15 km) after driving for two hours,” said a resident of CTM Cross Roads.

“Khabar nai aje Amdavad kyare ghare pohochshe?” (“Don’t know when Amdavadis will reach home today?”), said another commuter stranded with his stalled vehicle after a long day at work. He was waist-deep in stagnant brown slurry.

Homes, shops flooded; videos go viral

In Maninagar, residents captured videos of rainwater entering their shops and homes. Many took to social media to criticise the AMC’s handling of the situation. Central areas like Danapith also recorded over an inch of rainfall, while Memco and Naroda saw drains overflow after heavy bursts.

Ahmedabad recorded 36.53 mm of rainfall on Wednesday, taking the season’s total to 12.84 inches so far.

Drowning cases reported, rescue ops launched

The fire department received a distress call around 8.54 pm about a person reportedly drowning in a canal near Ambikanagar in Odhav. A search team was dispatched. In a separate incident, a young man reportedly fell into a water-filled pit near the Mogal Mata Temple in the same area, triggering further rescue efforts.

Waterlogging also disrupted life in Kubernagar, Bhargav Road, Bangla area, and parts of Naroda. Around 9.15 pm, Bopal was hit by heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Rainfall in Ahmedabad (Area-wise)