Rain batters Gujarat: IMD issues heavy rain alert across state, waterlogging reported in multiple areas

AHMEDABAD: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued an alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning across Gujarat, as several parts of the state continued to reel under the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding that has claimed 13 lives.Large parts of Surat remained inundated as continuous rainfall submerged roads and affected connectivity across the city.Traffic movement was severely affected, with many residents stranded in waterlogged neighbourhoods.A day earlier, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and fire department teams rescued more than 6,100 people, including pregnant women, children and elderly residents, using boats, tractors and ropes to reach stranded families.Several low-lying localities remained waterlogged, forcing residents to wade through filthy floodwater to access essential supplies.Transport services continued to be affected as submerged roads and stranded vehicles slowed traffic across the city. Floodwaters also entered shopping complexes, textile markets and commercial establishments, causing extensive damage to goods and raising concerns over financial losses.Meanwhile, stagnant water mixed with sewage and garbage raised fears of disease outbreaks.Relief and sanitation teams remained deployed across affected areas, supplying food, drinking water and other essentials while clearing debris, disinfecting flooded neighbourhoods and assisting residents as recovery efforts continued.