Umargam in Gujarat’s Valsad district received an extraordinary 1,064 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, making it the third highest 24-hour rainfall total ever recorded in India, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The extreme rainfall was recorded in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on July 23, 2026. The total rainfall was above one metre of water in one day, causing severe flooding in parts of Valsad district and disrupting transportation and forcing rescue and relief operations to take place in several areas.
The IMD described the rainfall event as “exceptionally heavy” and said Valsad and adjoining areas experienced extraordinary rainfall conditions.
The current rainfall total leaves Umargam behind only two other major 24 hour rainfall records in India. Sohra, formerly called Cherrapunji, in Meghalaya is the country's highest recorded 24 hour rainfall total, with 1,563.3 mm on June 16, 1995. Aminidivi in Lakshadweep recorded the second highest total, with 1,168.5 mm on May 6, 2004.
Umargam's 1,064 mm rainfall has now entered the country's all-time top three for 24-hour rainfall.
The extreme weather was not limited to Umargam. Several other places in the Valsad district also experienced extremely high rainfall in the same period. Kaprada recorded 794 mm and Dharampur 562 mm rainfall. Vapi recorded 550.4 mm, Pardi received 514 mm and Nanipalson 460 mm rainfall.
The Valsad weather station itself recorded 392 mm of rain in the same 24 hour period.
The district had already been experiencing heavy rainfall prior to the record-breaking event. Kaprada received 417 mm of rain on July 22, meaning the area had experienced extremely heavy rainfall for two consecutive days.
Weather Systems Behind Extreme Rainfall
According to the IMD, the unprecedented rainfall was caused by the combined impact of several weather systems.
A large-scale upper air cyclonic circulation over central Madhya Pradesh on July 22 gradually moved westwards towards southeast Rajasthan and adjacent southwest Madhya Pradesh by the morning of July 23.
At the same time, the monsoon trough remained south of its normal position and extended to the middle tropospheric levels. This created conditions for intense moisture convergence over south Gujarat.
The situation was also affected by a western disturbance over Jammu and adjacent areas and in conjunction with the existing monsoon circulation.
The combination of these systems created highly favorable conditions for sustained and intense rainfall over Valsad district.
The record rainfall led to flooding in many areas and disrupted normal life. Transport services were affected and emergency agencies were deployed to help people in areas affected by high water levels.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the flood and heavy rainfall situation in the affected districts on Thursday. He spoke to district collectors of Surat, Valsad, Navsari and Tapi to assess the situation, including rescue, evacuation and relief efforts.
The state government has directed emergency management teams to assist in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
With more rain still expected in parts of Gujarat, authorities are closely monitoring water levels and weather conditions. The extraordinary rainfall in Umargam has exposed the growing danger of extreme short-duration rainfall events, which can rapidly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to severe flooding within a few hours.
