With heavy rain lashing several parts of Gujarat on Friday, three people died of electrocution after a tempo truck carrying farm labourers came in contact with a live high-tension overhead electric wire in Navsari district’s Gandevi in the morning.
Two others who were critically injured in the accident have been taken to a hospital in Kharel, the police said.
“Poor visibility caused by relentless downpours likely contributed to the accident while the tempo was travelling from Gandeva village to a nearby farm,” Gandevi police inspector N I Rathod.
Those who died have been identified as Kalpesh Halpati, 30, Nitin Halpati, 32, and Jigar Halpati, 21, all residents of Gandeva village.
The Navsari district authorities have evacuated over 2,000 people from low-lying areas and closed 11 panchayat roads in Gandevi taluka, which was the worst affected in last week’s rainfall. Residents were evacuated from areas such as Torangam, Devdha, Undach, Khakhwada and Ajrai of Gandevi taluka to shelter homes, with priority given to the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, children and other vulnerable citizens.
In view of the red alert, the government had cancelled leaves of all officials in the 13 rain-affected districts with immediate effect, with one Class I officer deployed round-the-clock for supervision while 24×7 control rooms remain operational in each district.
Disaster response teams deployed
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State relief commissioner Gaurang Makwana, in an advisory issued on Friday, urged people not to venture out unless there was a “medical emergency” and to avoid river and canal sides and waterlogged areas. He said 33 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams had been deployed in these areas.
Ban on entry to lakefront gardens
In Ahmedabad, entry to all lakefront gardens was banned on Friday and Saturday following IMD’s heavy rainfall alert till August 2. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had postponed Friday’s celebrations for the conclusion of the annual Gauri and Jaya-Parvati fast on the Sabarmati Riverfront and Kankaria lakefront.
Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani has urged citizens to exercise caution, remain indoors and step out only when necessary. In response to the commissioner’s instructions, the Fire Department has enhanced city-wide preparedness.
All 19 fire stations in Ahmedabad are operating at full capacity, and 678 fire and rescue personnel are on 24-hour standby. The department has also cancelled the holidays of all officers and employees to provide additional manpower.
Rescue boats put on standby
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Eight rescue boats are also on standby to conduct immediate operations in the event of flooding or rescue operations during inclement weather. A trained crew of seven members is deployed on 24-hour duty a day with each boat to enable rapid response to any emergency in the city.
Kamal Saiyed is a senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, providing extensive, on-the-ground coverage from Surat and the broader South Gujarat region and the Union territories of Daman, Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli. With a reporting career at the publication spanning back to 2007, he has established himself as a high-authority voice on the industrial, social, and political pulse of one of India’s fastest-growing urban hubs.
Expertise
Industrial & Economic Beat: Based in the "Diamond City," Saiyed offers expert reporting on the diamond and textile industries. His work tracks global market shifts (such as De Beers production changes), local trade policies, and the socio-economic challenges facing the millions of workers in Surat’s manufacturing hubs.
Civic & Infrastructure Coverage: He consistently reports on urban development and public safety in Surat, including:
Traffic & Urban Planning: Monitoring the city's 13-fold increase in traffic violations and the implementation of new municipal drives.
Public Safety: Investigative reporting on infrastructure failures, fire safety NOC compliance in schools and commercial buildings, and Metro rail progress.
Political Reporting: Tracking the shifting dynamics between the BJP, Congress, and AAP in South Gujarat and the neighboring Union Territories (Daman, Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli).
Crime beat: Armed with a good source network Saiyed has been able to bring out the human side of crime stories in his region ... Read More
Ritu Sharma is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express' Gujarat bureau, an editorial position that reflects her experience and Authority in regional journalism. With over a decade of concentrated reporting experience, she is a highly Trustworthy and specialized journalist, especially noted for her Expertise in the education sector across Gujarat and previously Chandigarh.
Expertise
Primary Authority (Education): With over ten years of dedicated reporting on education in both Gujarat and Chandigarh, Ritu Sharma is a foremost authority on educational policy, institutional governance, and ground realities from "KG to PG." Her coverage includes:
Higher Education: In-depth scrutiny of top institutions like IIM-Ahmedabad (controversies over demolition/restoration of heritage architecture), IIT-Bombay (caste discrimination issues), and new initiatives like international branch campuses in GIFT City.
Schooling & Policy: Detailed coverage of government schemes (Gyan Sadhana School Voucher Scheme), the implementation and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, teacher recruitment issues, and the impact of national policies like the NEP.
Student Welfare: Reporting on critical issues such as suicide allegations due to caste discrimination, and the challenges faced by students (e.g., non-delivery of NAMO tablets). ... Read More
