A tractor wades through a partially submerged area after heavy rainfall at Limbayat Mithi Khadi, in Surat.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Gujarat health department has organised 6,868 medical camps, deployed more than 18,000 surveillance teams and administered preventive medicines to over 7.61 lakh people in flood-affected districts as part of an extensive drive to avert disease outbreaks following last week’s heavy rains, officials said on Tuesday (August 4, 2026).
According to officials, over 1.74 lakh people were examined and treated at the medical camps, while surveillance teams conducted daily door-to-door visits, distributing more than 1.05 crore chlorine tablets and 10.29 lakh ORS packets in affected areas.
The State government said a comprehensive Monsoon Action Plan had been implemented across all 34 districts and eight municipal corporations before and during the rainy season, helping prevent any major public health emergency despite widespread flooding.
Health authorities also conducted regular health check-ups in relief camps and shifted 675 pregnant women from vulnerable areas to healthcare facilities in advance, where 272 deliveries were carried out safely.
Round-the-clock health control rooms were established in all districts and municipal corporations, with each district receiving five additional emergency medical teams along with dedicated vehicles and staff. As many as 1,496 ambulances under the 108 Emergency Service and 816 ambulances attached to primary and community health centres have also been kept on standby.
The department said all government healthcare institutions have been stocked with more than 1.5 crore chlorine tablets, over 60 lakh ORS packets and 1,38,234 anti-snake venom injections.
Following the receding of floodwaters, preventive medicines against leptospirosis were administered to more than 7.61 lakh high-risk residents in 562 villages across Surat, Tapi, Valsad and Navsari districts. Additionally, 497 extra vector control teams were deployed in south and central Gujarat to undertake anti-larval measures and create public awareness against vector-borne diseases.
Torrential rain lashed several parts of south and central Gujarat on August 1, prompting authorities to evacuate around 27,000 people and rescue 53 others, particularly in Surat and Navsari districts, where flood-like conditions cut off several villages.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall in parts of north, south and central Gujarat, as well as the Saurashtra region, during the week.
Published – August 05, 2026 03:58 am IST
