2017 Gujarat flood
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 A helicopter deployed by the Indian Air Force for rescue | |
| Date | 1 June 2017–31 July 2017 |
|---|---|
| Location | Gujarat and Rajasthan, India |
| Deaths | At least 224 (in Gujarat) + 16 (from Rajasthan) |
Following heavy rain in July 2017, the Indian state of Gujarat was affected by severe flooding. The floods were reported to have caused total 224 deaths between 1 June and 31 July 2017.[1] 16 people had died in neighbouring Rajasthan state by 31 July.[2]
The monsoon season in Gujarat typically starts in mid-June. In the 2017 season low pressure systems developed over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal simultaneously, resulting in heavy rainfall.[3][4][5] Moderate rain began across the state on 14 July, and heavy rains fell from 21 to 25 July.[6]
Flooding of Gujarat
According to the Indian Meteorological Department data, between 1 and 28 July, Gujarat received 559.4 mm of rainfall, as against the average of 339.6 mm for the said period, representing an excess of 65%. The districts of Banaskantha, Patan, Gandhinagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Mehsana and Sabarkantha received 267%, 208%, 189%, 174%, 172%, 130% and 115% respectively of their average rainfall for the same period.[5] The districts in north Gujarat received more than 200 mm of rainfall in 24 hours on 24 July.[7] Dhanera recorded 235 mm rainfall in six hours on 24 July resulting in severe flooding. Deesa recorded 269 mm rain while Idar recorded 151 mm on 25 July.[8][9] Sabarkantha received highest rains in Gujarat at 219 mm, followed by Banaskantha with 150 mm.[10] It was close to the heaviest rainfall in 112 years in the affected region.[3][11]
As of 1 August, at least 224 people had died in floods in Gujarat since 1 June due to rain-related causes. Among them, 61 deaths were recorded in Banaskantha, 18 in Ahmedabad, 14 in Surendranagar, 11 in Chhota Udaipur, 10 in Surat district.[1] As of 31 July, 16 people had died in neighbouring Rajasthan state.[2] More than 4,000 cattle died in Banaskantha district.[12] The electricity supply to 753 villages were cut off.[12] The road and rail transport were also affected. Over 370 roads, including six National Highways, and 153 State Highways and 674 Panchayat roads were flooded and closed for vehicular traffic.[10][13] The damage is assessed at ₹10 crore (US$1.2 million) for National Highways and ₹26 crore (US$3.1 million) for State Highways.[14] 11 out of 20 trains operating between Mumbai-Delhi were cancelled due to damage to tracks near Palanpur. 915 GSRTC bus trips were cancelled in northern districts.[6] There was breach in Narmada Canal near Thara, Gujarat in Banaskantha.[12] The runway of Ahmedabad airport was damaged and two Air India flights were diverted.[15] As of 26 July, of the 203 dams and reservoirs in state, 38 were full, 19 were filled to between 80 and 90% of their capacity, 15 to between 70%–80% and 130 were filled to less than 70% capacity.[5][10] 25% of Kharif crop sowing in Gujarat, especially and Saurashtra and north Gujarat was lost.[16]
