Ahmedabad, July 23 (IANS) Authorities across Gujarat expanded precautionary measures on Thursday as forecasts of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall prompted the closure of schools, colleges and anganwadis in several districts for Friday, while Valsad district ordered factories and industrial units to suspend operations amid flood-like conditions.
The latest decisions come as the state continues to battle widespread flooding and intense monsoon rainfall that has already forced the evacuation of more than 22,000 people from the worst-affected districts of Valsad and Navsari and triggered large-scale rescue operations.
In Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) announced that all schools and colleges in the city would remain closed on Friday, July 24, after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The civic body said the decision had been taken as a precaution, giving the highest priority to the safety of students.
It appealed to citizens to remain cautious during the rainy conditions, avoid rumours and rely only on official information.
The AMC also announced that all civic-run anganwadis would remain closed until Monday, July 27, due to the forecast of continued heavy rainfall over the coming days.
“The decision was intended to ensure the safety of children and avoid risks during travel, adding that reopening would be reviewed after assessing the rainfall situation and updated IMD forecasts,” officials said.
Similar precautionary closures were announced across several districts.
Surat district declared a holiday for students and staff of all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools, as well as anganwadis, under the Surat Municipal Corporation, municipalities and rural areas, citing persistent heavy rainfall and the need to ensure student safety.
In Bharuch district, schools and colleges will also remain closed because of the heavy rain forecast, with authorities urging residents to remain cautious.
Tapi district declared a holiday for all schools, colleges and anganwadis for a second consecutive day, citing continuous rainfall and the possibility of further heavy showers.
The district administration appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, streams, causeways and low-lying areas, and keep clear of electric poles and trees.
Vadodara city and district also announced the closure of all schools, colleges and anganwadis as a precaution against heavy rainfall.
In Gandhinagar district, the administration ordered the closure of all anganwadis, primary and secondary government, grant-in-aid and self-financed schools, colleges and other educational institutions after the IMD forecast moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.
Residents were advised not to venture out unnecessarily during adverse weather, avoid standing under trees or near electric poles, and contact the District Disaster Management Centre in case of emergencies.
Botad district similarly declared a holiday in anganwadi centres and schools because of the heavy rain forecast and asked residents to use the district emergency helpline numbers if assistance was required.
The adverse weather also affected government examinations. The Gujarat Gaun Seva Pasandgi Mandal postponed the descriptive Question Paper 4 of the Higher Level Departmental Examination for senior clerk cadre employees, which had been scheduled for July 24.
The board said the objective multiple-choice papers had been conducted successfully between July 22 and July 24, but the descriptive paper had been deferred until further notice in view of the prevailing heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state.
A fresh examination date will be announced later. In one of the most significant industrial measures announced during the ongoing weather emergency, the Valsad district administration directed all factories and industrial units to remain closed on Friday because of heavy rainfall and flood-like conditions.
Factory managements have been instructed to ensure workers return home safely, retain only the minimum staff required for essential and emergency operations, secure hazardous chemicals, machinery and electrical systems, and comply with further instructions issued by the administration.
Meanwhile, the Narmada district administration opened five gates of the Karjan Dam at Jitgadh village in Nandod taluka by up to 2.60 metres to maintain the reservoir’s rule level.
Officials said 43,110 cusecs of water was being released into the Karjan River and appealed to residents of downstream villages to stay away from the riverbanks and flowing water while exercising maximum caution.
The latest restrictions and advisories follow the state government’s emergency response to exceptionally heavy rainfall across South and Central Gujarat.
Earlier on Thursday, the government said more than 12,000 people had been evacuated from Valsad and over 10,000 from Navsari, while additional National Disaster Response Force teams, Army columns and rescue boats had been deployed to strengthen flood relief operations as heavy rain continued across several districts.
–IANS
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