The following is the first update dated 2^nd September, 2026, on the latest relief / rehabilitation measures to Zoroastrians affected by the Gujarat floods of July undertaken by The WZO Trusts.

We had, during early August 2026, shared with donors, friends & well wishers the news of massive destruction caused by extremely heavy rainfall between July 20 to 24, in South Gujarat. The damage caused to Zoroastrian families residing in the South Gujarat villages has been extreme. Although more than a month has passed, some affected villages remain inaccessible, with roads broken or completely washed away and receding floodwaters leaving behind large deposits of mud and slime. Despite these challenges, WZO Trusts volunteers have reached as many villages with Zoroastrian residents as possible, witnessing first-hand the extensive damage to their predominantly agrarian livelihoods.

DAMAGES: Field walls and fencing have been swept away, while recently sown and standing crops, including paddy and sugarcane, have suffered massive destruction. Mango trees and valuable mango grafts have also been lost, while fertile soil has been washed away from fields. Tube wells and bore wells have sustained severe damage and could require complete reconstruction. Floodwaters entering modest homes have caused further devastation, destroying modest households and belongings, and sweeping away food grains stored in kitchen baskets.

The process of relief and rehabilitation has commenced:

1.As an initial step, we have arranged for food grains comprising essential articles to be distributed to 300 economically challenged Zoroastrian families residing in villages in and around Dahanu Road, Udvada, Valsad, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Chikhli, Navsari, Vansda, Surat, Mandvi, Mangrol, Ankleshwar, Bharuch.

2. We have, also so far, identified 61 families living in 24 villages whose livelihood has been severely affected by the floods. The total outgoing to provide relief and rehabilitate these 61 families has been worked out to Rs. 84,75,000. The logistics are being worked out and the rehabilitation will be underway shortly, as soon as the fields have dried out.

We had in our earlier communication mentioned that it was expected that Rs.1,50,00,000 would be required towards relief & rehabilitation, in response to which we have received Rs.1,98,75,557 as on September 01, 2026.

However, considering the situation as it is now beginning to unfold, it is estimated that whilst the total number of affected families would be 300, damages to the property of around 225 families should be in the region of Rs.50,000 each. The remaining 75 families would have suffered substantial damages as mentioned above, with their rehabilitation expected to be much more.

The total rehabilitation expenses between the 300 families is expected to be Rs.2,25,00,000 (Rupees two crores twenty-five lakhs).

From the funds received, as a first step we intend to start distributing food grains to those Zoroastrians residing in villages which we have managed to access. We will continue extending this support as gradually many more villages become accessible.

The actual rehabilitation initiative will be undertaken once the damaged fields dry out and become accessible so our team can visit the villages and review the damage caused to each of the affected Zoroastrian families.

All the beneficiaries join us in extending sincere gratitude to all our generous donors who have contributed so magnanimously and with such alacrity.

Dinshaw K. Tamboly

Chairman,

The WZO Trusts