Valor in Calamity: Pune’s Southern Command Battles Fury of Gujarat Deluge, Rescues Stranded Civilians in Overnight Operations
Pune: Torrential monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Gujarat, forcing over 38,000 residents into shelters, closing hundreds of roads, and causing local dams like Juj and Keliya to overflow. The southern districts of Navsari and Valsad, along with Surat, Silvassa, and parts of Ahmedabad, are among the hardest hit by rising water levels.
To assist the civil administration in ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, the Pune-based Southern Command of the Indian Army has deployed specialized Relief and Rescue Columns equipped with engineer and medical units.
Ground personnel are currently operating in Navsari, Valsad, Silvassa, and Ahmedabad. In Navsari, where inundation stranded numerous families overnight, Army teams launched a late-night operation and safely evacuated 43 civilians from submerged pockets.
The Southern Command has also placed additional columns on standby at Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad for rapid deployment as rainfall continues. Army teams are working alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local fire brigades, and district authorities to carry out evacuations and distribute essential aid. Rescue operations across affected districts remain active.
Vineet Gupta is the Founder and Managing Editor of PuneNow, where he leads editorial coverage on Pune’s civic developments, local infrastructure, traffic, and urban governance. With an academic background from the University of Wales and professional experience across journalism, hospitality, finance, and academia, Vineet offers a unique perspective on hyper-local journalism. Based in Pune, he is passionate about empowering residents with accurate, timely news that affects their daily lives, while offering insightful commentary on mindful living, parenting, and community connection.
