Ahmedabad, July 23 — Ahmedabad recorded an average rainfall of 163.24 mm (6.43 inches) on Wednesday, with some localities receiving more than 12 inches within hours, prompting multiple rescue operations and widespread civic action to tackle waterlogging across the city.
According to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), the heaviest rainfall between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. was recorded at Bakrol, which received 315.50 mm (12.42 inches), followed by Sarkhej with 306 mm (12.05 inches) and Bopal with 259 mm (10.20 inches).
Other areas that recorded exceptionally heavy rainfall included Sarkhej UHC (258 mm), Jodhpur (253.50 mm), Jodhpur Zonal and Maktampura (243.50 mm), Bodakdev (227.50 mm), Vasna (219 mm), Thaltej (214.50 mm), Memnagar (211 mm) and Science City (208 mm).
The intense rainfall, concentrated mainly in the North West and South West zones along the SG Highway, led to waterlogging in several residential areas and major roads.
AMC said the Mayor, Standing Committee Chairman, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, Deputy Municipal Commissioners and other senior officials continuously monitored the situation from the control room and in the field, while additional administrative and technical staff, pumps and equipment were deployed in the worst-affected zones.
Fire Department teams carried out eight rescue operations and evacuated more than 50 people from flooded locations across the city.
The rescues included people trapped in a lift at Suncity, residents stranded in Thaltej, occupants of a car near the Gota crematorium, people requiring evacuation at Manekbag, schoolchildren stranded inside a school bus in the Makarba-Bakery City area, people trapped inside a vehicle at Anandnagar and residents stranded inside houses in the Bopal-Amli area.
In a separate incident in Vejalpur, students stranded inside a school bus surrounded by rainwater were safely rescued and shifted to a secure location after emergency teams launched an immediate rescue operation.
Authorities said no casualties were reported. Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said the unprecedented intensity of rainfall over a short duration caused waterlogging in some parts of the city, particularly in the North West and South West zones.
"Due to the intensity of heavy rainfall and the large volume of rain received within a short period, waterlogging has occurred in some areas. However, the entire AMC machinery is working round the clock. Control rooms across all zones are active, field teams are continuously deployed, and all necessary resources have been mobilised to ensure public safety and the speedy drainage of water. The situation is under constant monitoring," he said.
The commissioner said draining water from flooded residential societies remained the civic body's highest priority.
Waterlogging was reported in 43 housing societies, including 18 in the South West Zone, 10 in the North West Zone, eight in the North Zone, six in the Central Zone and one in the West Zone.
Teams equipped with pumps, including barrel pumps, were deployed to clear accumulated water.
AMC received 102 complaints related to waterlogging during the day. Of the city's 148 previously identified waterlogging spots, 82 experienced flooding while 66 remained unaffected.
The East, North, Central and South zones received comparatively less rainfall, resulting in fewer instances of waterlogging.
To accelerate rainwater drainage, additional drainage outlets were opened at several junctions and intersections, while extra pumping arrangements were made wherever required.
In areas such as South Bopal, where local geographical conditions contributed to water accumulation, civic teams undertook measures including modifications to boundary walls where necessary.
The corporation said the water level at the Vasna Barrage was maintained at 124.5 feet and all 20 gates of the barrage were opened to facilitate the discharge of stormwater.
The available capacity of the Western Trunk Line was also utilised to speed up drainage across different parts of the city.
Stormwater connectivity also enabled significant rainwater storage in several lakes across the North West and South West zones, including some that had previously remained dry.
Waterlogging also affected traffic movement at several underpasses. Of the eight underpasses closed during the day, six were later reopened.
As of the latest update, Akhbarnagar and Makarba underpasses remained closed, and citizens were advised not to enter closed underpasses.
The AMC Total Control Room received 41 complaints of fallen trees, of which 35 had been cleared while work on the remaining cases was in progress.
The Fire Department also responded to 11 emergency calls. Five complaints relating to the collapse of houses, walls or roofs were received, but no loss of life was reported.
"It worked in coordination with the Ahmedabad Police to manage traffic and public safety in waterlogged areas. Health teams would begin post-flood sanitation measures once water recedes and advised residents to boil drinking water if necessary, use chlorine tablets as recommended by the Health Department, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, stay away from waterlogged areas and electrical installations, and not enter closed underpasses," officials said.
Schools, colleges and other institutions were also advised to take appropriate precautions in view of the forecast of further heavy rainfall.