Incessant rainfall has wreaked havoc in several parts of Gujarat, India, leading to severe waterlogging and massive flooding over the past few weeks. The devastating floods have resulted in a tragic loss of life, with nearly 28 people succumbing to the disaster, and the displacement of around 18,000 people who have been evacuated from the worst-affected areas. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an alert for very heavy rainfall in the state until August 30. The unexpected rainfall and subsequent flooding have caused immense damage to life and property in Gujarat. Many residents who managed to survive the floods have shared heart-wrenching accounts of the devastation, describing how the severe waterlogging caused massive damage to their property and vehicles. One Reddit user, a resident of Vadodara, shared images of his three luxury cars – a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, a Ford EcoSport, and an Audi A6 – completely submerged in floodwaters. The user expressed his profound grief, lamenting the loss of his vehicles and stating, “There’s nothing left to live for anymore…All the 3 cars mentioned in my flair are now gone.” This incident highlights the severe impact the floods have had on individuals, causing significant financial losses and emotional distress. The Vadodara resident has unfortunately experienced similar situations in the past, where his vehicles were submerged in floodwaters. The Reddit user explained that the water level outside his house reached up to eight feet, making it impossible for tow trucks to reach his locality. He also mentioned that this is the third time he has faced such a devastating situation, emphasizing the recurring nature of these floods. The user’s post garnered thousands of reactions and comments from fellow Reddit users, many of whom shared their own personal experiences with the floods. Several users reported similar situations in other parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, where they described navigating the city using boats. One user expressed frustration with the lack of accountability for the waterlogging, drawing parallels with the UK where municipal corporations are held accountable for similar situations. The user commented, “I wish we could hold municipal corporations accountable for waterlogging of this magnitude. It’s done in the UK. This is the only way we can make sure we get the service we deserve. Just heartbreaking seeing cars ruined for no fault of our own.” The widespread damage caused by the floods in Gujarat has left residents grappling with significant losses and underscores the need for better infrastructure and preparedness to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.
