Gujarat: Vadodara Limping Back To Normalcy As Water Recedes From Flooded Areas

Vadodara, Gujarat, is slowly returning to normalcy as the Vishwamitri River’s floodwaters recede. After severe flooding caused by torrential rains, the river’s water level has decreased from a peak of 37 feet—12 feet above the danger mark—to 31 feet, according to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).

Heavy rains and the release of water from the Ajwa Dam led to the river breaching its banks on Wednesday, inundating several areas of the city. The VMC reported that water levels have now subsided in key affected areas, including Sayajigunj, Fatehgunj, outside the Railway Station, and Harni.

Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi visited Vadodara to assess the situation and oversee ongoing relief efforts. “As the floodwater has subsided, we have started pumping stations to provide drinking water to people and switched on electricity feeders and transformers, which were shut as a precautionary measure. We have deployed 50 teams to restore electricity in the city,” said Sanghavi.

Despite the improvements, some areas remain waterlogged, and residents are experiencing power outages. The recent rains have had a tragic toll, with 26 lives lost across Gujarat in the past four days and approximately 17,800 people evacuated from flood-affected zones.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is expected to visit Vadodara later in the day to review the situation. Patel had previously directed authorities to deploy cleaning equipment and spray disinfectants as soon as the floodwaters began to recede.

The flood's impact has sparked frustration among residents, with some city MLAs, including Manisha Vakil and Balkrishna Shukla, facing criticism during their visits to affected neighborhoods. In a social media video, residents can be seen expressing their displeasure and accusing local politicians of neglect during the crisis. Some demanded compensation for their losses, while others criticized the leaders for prioritizing photo opportunities over effective action.

The state government plans to conduct a survey to assess the damages and determine appropriate compensation for those affected.