Severe rainfall has wreaked havoc in India’s western state of Gujarat and southern Pakistan, leading to widespread flooding, significant damage to infrastructure, and the evacuation of thousands of people. As of Thursday, officials reported at least 28 deaths due to drowning and other rain-related incidents.
The heavy downpours, which began earlier this week, have inundated cities and disrupted essential services. In Jamnagar, a coastal city, power outages have persisted for two days, leaving residents like Prabhu Ram Soni, who has an eight-month-old daughter and a mother dependent on oxygen, deeply concerned for their safety.
Disaster management teams have evacuated over 18,000 people from vulnerable coastal regions. Jamnagar, which houses the world’s largest oil refinery complex operated by Reliance Industries, remains a critical area. However, district collector B.K. Pandya assured that refinery operations have not been severely affected as authorities focus on rescue efforts.
India’s meteorological department has issued warnings of extremely heavy rainfall for the districts of Bharuch, Kutch, and Saurashtra, with thunderstorms and lightning expected to persist into Friday. The rains are linked to a deep atmospheric depression off Gujarat’s coast.
Southern Pakistan has also been hit hard, particularly the city of Karachi, which has experienced intense rainfall. Sindh province officials have issued warnings of potential flash floods and turbulent seas, urging residents to stay alert. The region is still recovering from catastrophic floods in 2022 that left vast areas submerged.
Authorities warn that the ongoing rains could worsen flooding in districts still vulnerable from previous disasters. Emergency services are on high alert, prepared for further evacuations and rescue missions.
Army units have been deployed to assist in relief operations, with footage showing people wading through waist-deep water. The situation remains dire as officials continue to monitor the weather and provide aid to those affected.
