Surat Grapples with Flood Aftermath as Water Recedes Slowly

A creek overflows into surrounding residential areas in Surat on Wednesday

SURAT: A day after the torrential downpour eased, large parts of Surat remained marooned on Wednesday, with stagnant, murky water continuing to choke roads, homes, commercial complexes and industrial pockets. While the city woke up to clear skies, residents in several low-lying areas found themselves battling the aftermath, overflowing creeks, waterlogged basements, stranded vehicles and a pervasive stench from floodwaters that showed little sign of receding. Areas along the overflowing khadis, including Parvat Patiya, Model Town, Saniya Hemad, Godadara Road, Azad Nagar, Mithi Khadi-Limbayat, Simada, Sarthana and Kumbhariya, remained inundated as swollen creeks spilled into adjoining neighbourhoods. In many locations, water levels were still waist-deep, forcing residents to wade through filthy water to procure essentials while several families continued to stay in relief shelters or with relatives. The city’s transport network also bore the brunt. At Simada, a fleet of BRTS buses remained parked in floodwater, while traffic crawled on partially submerged roads. Several vehicles, including cars, trucks and two-wheelers, remained stranded in waterlogged stretches as commuters avoided flooded routes. The economic impact became more visible as waters entered commercial establishments. Basements of shopping complexes, textile markets and commercial buildings remained flooded, delaying reopening of businesses. Traders struggled to pump out dirty water from premises and feared extensive damage to stocks of fabric, machinery, electrical equipment and other inventory. The extent of losses is yet to be assessed, as many shops and godowns remained inaccessible. Residents complained that the stagnant water had begun emitting a foul smell, raising fears of disease outbreaks. The mix of sewage, silt and garbage left behind by overflowing drains and creeks blanketed several localities, with sanitation workers racing to clear debris and disinfect affected areas. Rescue and relief operations continued in pockets where water remained trapped. Teams from the Surat Fire and Emergency Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) remained deployed to assist stranded residents and monitor vulnerable locations. One of the largest rescue operations was carried out at Shivshakti Society in Dindoli, where the NDRF evacuated 255 people, including 153 men, 67 women and 35 children, after the area was completely cut off by floodwaters. Schools and colleges remained closed for the day as a precaution, while industries in several industrial estates also stayed shut.