Responding swiftly to widespread flooding caused by incessant rainfall across parts of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, the Indian Army, under the aegis of Southern Command, launched Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations on the evening of 23 July 2026. Rescue and relief efforts are continuing in close coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), civil administration and other agencies.
The Army has deployed seven Relief and Rescue Columns, comprising Engineer and Medical teams, across the affected regions. Two columns are operating in Navsari, one in the Valsad–Vapi region, three in Ahmedabad covering Ahmedabad City, Ahmedabad Rural and the Ahmedabad–Rajkot Highway, and one in Silvassa. Additional Relief and Rescue Columns remain on standby at Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Jamnagar to respond swiftly to any emerging situation.
Since the commencement of operations, Army teams have rescued and safely evacuated 355 stranded civilians from inundated and inaccessible areas. Rescue missions have been conducted under challenging conditions, including the evacuation of people trapped for extended periods in flooded buildings and isolated habitations.
Medical teams have provided immediate healthcare to those in need, while relief personnel have distributed food, drinking water and other essential supplies to affected residents awaiting evacuation or the restoration of normal connectivity.
The ongoing operations are being carried out in close coordination with the civil administration, NDRF, SDRF, police and other stakeholders to ensure timely rescue, relief and humanitarian assistance across the affected districts.
