5 days ago
Amit Shah Promises Ahmedabad Flood Protection Against 30-Inch Rainfall
Amit Shah held a public meeting in Ahmedabad after serious flooding in July.
He said the area received about 21–22 inches of rain.
That amount of rain caused water to enter homes and roads to flood.
Shah promised better systems so homes would stay dry even after 30 inches of rain.
Local residents said the area needs more drainage and stormwater pipes.
They also said some drainage lines are blocked and the water supply is not large enough.
Shah accepted that the existing arrangements were not good enough.
He said planning for improvements had already begun.
He also promised that Narmada water would reach the area within six months.
Amit Shah promised flood-prevention arrangements in Ahmedabad that would keep water out of homes during up to 30 inches of rainfall.
He acknowledged that administrative preparations failed during July flooding after 21–22 inches of rain.
Residents cited inadequate drainage pipelines, backed-up lines, insufficient stormwater infrastructure and excessive development.
Shah said planning began after the water receded and that he would personally oversee its completion.
He said Narmada water would reach recently merged areas of Ahmedabad within six months.
- Who
- Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, local residents, and Ahmedabad civic officials.
- What
- Shah promised improved flood-management arrangements and additional water and drainage infrastructure for parts of Ahmedabad.
- Where
- Bopal, Ambli, Ghuma and Sarkhej in Ahmedabad, within Shah’s Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.
- When
- At a Lok Darbar held on Thursday, following severe flooding in the last week of July.
- Why
- The areas experienced major waterlogging after 21–22 inches of rainfall, which residents linked to inadequate drainage and stormwater infrastructure.
Residents’ Infrastructure Concerns
Officials’ Rainfall Explanation
Cause of waterlogging
Residents’ Infrastructure Concerns
Residents said inadequate drainage pipelines, backed-up drainage lines, insufficient stormwater lines and excessive development contributed to the flooding.
Officials’ Rainfall Explanation
Amit Shah, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Mayor Hitesh Barot attributed the waterlogging primarily to exceptionally heavy rainfall, while Shah also acknowledged that administrative arrangements fell short.
Responsibility for fixing the problem
Residents’ Infrastructure Concerns
Residents asked that society chairpersons and secretaries be involved in planning pipelines and pumping stations.
Officials’ Rainfall Explanation
Shah said responsibility for taking the improvement plan to completion would rest with him rather than councillors, the mayor or the MLA.
Standard for future protection
Residents’ Infrastructure Concerns
Residents sought expanded drainage and pumping infrastructure to address recurring waterlogging and growing demand.
Officials’ Rainfall Explanation
Shah promised systems designed for 30 inches of rainfall, while saying further upgrades would be needed if rainfall exceeded that level.
Key facts
- Rainfall during flooding
- Approximately 21–22 inches, according to Amit Shah.
- Future protection target
- Arrangements intended to prevent water entering homes during up to 30 inches of rainfall.
- Affected areas
- Bopal, Ambli, Ghuma and Sarkhej in Ahmedabad.
- Residents’ concerns
- Insufficient drainage pipelines, backed-up drainage lines, inadequate stormwater lines and excessive development.
- Water-supply promise
- Shah said Narmada water would reach the recently merged areas within six months.
- Planning timeline
- Shah said planning began the day after floodwaters receded.
- Emergency response
- Firefighters, National Disaster Response Force teams and police were deployed during the flooding.
Quotes
Bhadresh Bhatt
Resident and society representative from one of the affected Ahmedabad areas
“Before I come to ask for your vote again, there will be such arrangements that water will not enter your homes even if there is 30 inches of rainfall.”
indianexpress.com
“There was a lot of waterlogging. But another issue is that the Narmada water we get is not enough to meet the demand of the population.”
indianexpress.com











