Surat floods, Texas storms recur

Record rainfall flooded Surat in India’s Gujarat state this week, killing nine people and forcing the evacuation of more than 3,500 residents, according to local officials cited by Hindustan Times. In Texas, Houston City Council on July 8 approved a $45 million home-repair and reconstruction program for damage from Hurricane Beryl and the May 2024 derecho. (hindustantimes.com) The Texas General Land Office, meanwhile, opened a 30-day public comment period on changes to the state’s mitigation action plan. Together, the actions show governments still managing damage from past storms while preparing for the next round of hazards. (houstonpublicmedia.org) ### How severe was the flooding in Surat? (glo.texas.gov) Surat received 358 mm of rain in 24 hours, Hindustan Times reported, as floodwater disrupted transport, shut schools and triggered large-scale evacuations across the district. The report said at least nine people died over two days and more than 3,500 people were moved to safer locations. The New Indian Express reported that Surat surpassed an 85-year-old July rainfall record previously set in 1941. The paper said several areas recorded between 11 and 19 inches of rain on Monday, with Sarthana and Varachha among the hardest-hit locations. (hindustantimes.com) ### What did authorities do in Gujarat? Gujarat officials mounted what Hindustan Times described as one of the state’s biggest rescue operations as floodwater spread across residential areas and roads in Surat district. The evacuations came after relentless monsoon rainfall inundated homes, commercial areas and transport links, according to multiple local reports. (hindustantimes.com) India Today reported on July 9 that waterlogging and flooding had disrupted public transport and city bus services, with homes and shops inundated in parts of Surat. The report said rain-related deaths in the district had risen to at least nine over the previous few days. (newindianexpress.com) ### What did Houston approve this week? Houston City Council on July 8 approved guidelines for a federally funded $45 million program to repair or rebuild owner-occupied homes damaged by Hurricane Beryl and the May 2024 derecho, Houston Public Media reported. The program can provide up to $100,000 for repairs and up to $300,000 for reconstruction for eligible homeowners, according to the report. (hindustantimes.com) Houston Public Media said the funding comes two years after the storms hit and is aimed at single-family homes. The outlet reported that the program would ease, but not eliminate, the housing damage left by the 2024 disasters. (indiatoday.in) ### Why is Texas still revising mitigation plans? The Texas General Land Office posted Amendment 5 to the Mitigation State Action Plan for a 30-day public comment period on July 7, according to the agency’s public notices page. The comment deadline is August 6, 2026, the notice said. FOX RGV reported that the General Land Office is seeking public input on proposed updates to the state’s disaster mitigation strategy as Texas faces recurring risks including hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires. (houstonpublicmedia.org) The agency said the goal is to strengthen resilience and protect lives and property through updated planning. ### What comes next for residents and agencies? August 6, 2026, is the next formal deadline in Texas, when public comments on Amendment 5 are due to the General Land Office. In Houston, the newly approved repair and reconstruction program now moves from council approval toward implementation for eligible homeowners affected by the 2024 storms, while Surat authorities continue rescue and recovery work after this week’s flooding. (glo.texas.gov) (houstonpublicmedia.org) (foxrgv.tv)