In light of the weather department’s red alert in 13 district of Gujarat today, the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), Gandhinagar, has issued the following precautionary measures for the citizens:

Before a flood situation

- Do not spread rumours; stay calm and avoid panic.

- Stay in contact with local administrative authorities and follow their instructions.

- Identify a safe route to the nearest safe location.

- Listen to the radio or watch television for updated weather and flood warnings.

- Keep your mobile phone charged.

- Prepare a first aid kit with additional medicines for snake bites and other injuries.

- Have an umbrella for rain protection and a stick to ward off venomous insects.

- Keep clean water, dry food, candles/kerosene, lanterns, strong ropes, and extra batteries/cells handy.

- Ensure that animals are kept safe and are not tethered.

During a flood Situation

- Relocate to higher ground where both citizens and animals can find safe shelter.

- Lock your home and proceed to the designated safe location.

- Block gutters with sandbags to prevent flood water from entering your home.

- Keep clothes, essential medicines, valuable items, and personal documents in waterproof packing.

- Elevate furniture and household items on beds or tables.

- Turn off the electricity and gas cylinder before leaving the house.

- Avoid entering unknown and deep water.

During flood

- Stay away from gutters and water disposal routes.

- Avoid contact with electrical poles and fallen wires.

- Drink only boiled or disinfected water.

- Use lime and bleaching powder to disinfect the surroundings.

- Ensure children are not left hungry.

- Consume freshly cooked and dry food, and keep food covered.

After the flood

- Listen to and follow the advice of local authorities and emergency service workers.

- Use mosquito nets to prevent malaria.

- Do not let children near floodwater or its vicinity.

- Avoid broken electric poles, damaged bridges, broken glass, sharp objects, and debris.

- Avoid using damaged electrical appliances until they have been checked by an electrician.

- Do not consume food that has been contaminated by floodwater.

- Report emergencies and seek relief by contacting the emergency control room numbers provided.

In case of lightning

- Remain indoors in a safe building during severe lightning.

- Avoid standing under trees during a lightning storm.

- Do not use fishing rods or umbrellas during lightning.

- Avoid touching electrical poles or telephone lines.

- Keep electrical appliances away from water pipes and damp areas.

- Use circuit breakers that automatically cut off electrical flow in case of a short circuit.

- Ensure everyone in the house is aware of the main switch location.

For emergency assistance

- Contact the District Control Room at 1077 or the State Control Room at 1070 for emergency help. If calling from a mobile phone, include the district code.

Chief secretary chairs meeting 

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Rajkumar at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar to review the state’s preparedness in response to the weather department’s forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The meeting assessed the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Saurashtra, Kutch, and Central Gujarat.

The chief secretary reviewed the situation with nodal officers from various departments, as well as district collectors and municipal commissioners who joined via video conference.

They discussed issues such as human casualties, river and dam conditions, power supply, livestock deaths, and the operations of NDRF and SDRF teams. Appropriate guidance was given, and officials were advised to stay alert against potential risks.

The weather department provided detailed information on the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Gujarat for the upcoming week. Based on this, the Chief Secretary instructed district administrative bodies to make all necessary preemptive arrangements. He also directed district and taluka administrative officers to be present at headquarters.

In view of the heavy rainfall situation, officials from departments such as Animal Husbandry, Energy, Agriculture, CWC, Roads and Buildings, Health and Family Welfare, Panchayat, GMB, Urban Development, Irrigation, Sardar Sarovar Corporation, NDRF, and Coast Guard were also advised to take precautionary measures.

The chief secretary directed that after the rainfall, actions should be taken to ensure that water does not accumulate, epidemics do not spread, blocked roads are cleared promptly, power supply is restored swiftly if disrupted, and continuous monitoring of dam water levels is conducted. Relevant line departments were instructed to take necessary actions.

Moreover, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department Dr Jayanti Ravi and Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Ashwini Kumar provided various guidelines to the administrative machinery, emphasising the need for caution. Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey also stressed the importance of taking all necessary precautionary measures given the current situation.

Also read:

Red alert issued across Gujarat, downpour to continue till Aug 31