Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall has lashed Saurashtra and South Gujarat for the past five days, leaving several districts, including Surat, Mangrol in Junagadh and Valsad, inundated. On July 7, more than 17 inches of rain fell in Surat's Kamrej and Palsana talukas, submerging several areas. Surat city recorded 19 inches of rainfall in the last 38 hours, triggering severe flooding.

The torrential rain has caused widespread devastation in Surat. As many as 13 people have reportedly lost their lives in rain-related incidents, including 11 due to drowning and one due to electrocution, within a single day. Following the flooding, local authorities, along with NDRF and SDRF teams, launched extensive rescue operations. As of 5 pm on July 8, a total of 3,416 people had been rescued, while 3,862 people were shifted to safer locations.

13 killed in rain-related incidents

The heavy rains claimed 13 lives in incidents involving drowning, electrocution and other accidents. Fatalities were reported from areas including Dindoli, Puna Gam, Pandesara and Rander.

More than 10 inches of rainfall was recorded in Palsana, Kamrej, Surat city, Bardoli and Ambika, leading to severe waterlogging across several localities. Floodwaters disrupted normal life, while rescue teams shifted stranded residents to safer places.

Over 230 people rescued from Pandesara

Heavy rainfall has severely affected several parts of Surat district, leaving residential areas waterlogged. SDRF, NDRF and police teams carried out rescue operations in affected neighbourhoods.

In Pandesara, SDRF rescued more than 150 people stranded in waist-to-neck-deep water in Krishnanagar and Gadhanagar. Meanwhile, NDRF rescued 85 people from Shriram Nagar Society, including 36 men, 27 women and 22 children.

More than 143 rescued from Mithi Khadi area

NDRF personnel rescued 143 people trapped in floodwaters in the Mithi Khadi area, including 71 men, 53 women and 19 children, and shifted them to safer locations.

313 rescued from Godadara

In the Godadara area, NDRF rescued 313 people, including 210 men, 80 women and 23 children, and relocated them to relief shelters.

19 evacuated in Palsana

Palsana taluka received more than 18 inches of rainfall, causing flood-like conditions. With many homes inundated, authorities evacuated 19 stranded residents after water levels began to recede.

9,563 food packets distributed

Relief and rescue operations continued across Surat city, with all rescued residents being shifted to safe shelters. The administration arranged 9,563 food packets for those affected by the floods.

Debris removal in Olpad

On July 8, 2026, authorities used JCB machines to remove debris from drainage channels in the flood-affected villages of Delad, Takarma and Sithan in Olpad taluka to ensure smooth water discharge.

240 textile markets remain shut

Flooding in basement areas forced the closure of 240 textile markets in Surat, resulting in an estimated ₹200 crore loss in business. The Federation of Surat Trade and Textile Associations (FOSTA) decided to keep the markets closed considering the damage to traders' goods.

Several parts of Surat remain submerged, and videos of the flooding have gone viral on social media. As visuals of waterlogged roads and neighbourhoods circulate online, many users have criticised the city's "Smart City" claims, saying the flooding exposed gaps in the urban infrastructure.