Gujarat hit by severe flooding: 15 dead, 20,000 evacuated amid heavy rains

PTC News Desk: At least 15 people have died, more than 23,000 have been evacuated, and over 300 have been rescued across various districts in Gujarat due to relentless heavy rainfall that continues to affect the coastal state.

While the rainfall’s intensity decreased slightly on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for Gujarat, warning of more downpours in the days ahead.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Severe waterlogging witnessed in parts of Vadodara following heavy rainfall in the region pic.twitter.com/9FCaLQt6JT

— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024

To bolster rescue and relief operations, the Gujarat government has requested six Indian Army columns to be deployed in the districts of Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi, and Rajkot. Additionally, 14 platoons from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 units from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are already on the ground to assist with disaster management efforts.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the ongoing relief and rescue efforts. The Chief Minister instructed District Collectors to remain vigilant and work with police forces to prevent people from approaching overflowing rivers, drains, and lakes. The IMD has also issued a specific warning for coastal district authorities to ensure that fishermen do not venture into the sea.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Waterlogging witnessed in parts of Morbi following rainfall in the region; gates of Machhu Dam were also opened. pic.twitter.com/5Zm5FCdTpt

— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024

“The Chief Minister received updates on the deployment of Army, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF personnel who are assisting local administrations with disaster management and rescue operations,” the Chief Minister’s Office stated in a post on X.

Death Toll and Evacuations Rise

At least 15 people have died in rain-related incidents since Monday. The Gujarat government reported fatalities in several districts: one in Morbi, two in Gandhinagar, six in Anand, one in Vadodara, one in Kheda, two in Mahisagar, one in Bharuch, and one in Ahmedabad.

On Tuesday alone, more than 12,000 people were evacuated from the worst-affected areas, with 8,361 relocated in Vadodara and 4,000 in Panchmahals. Overall, over 23,870 people have been moved to safer locations, and 1,696 individuals have been rescued. Evacuations in the last two days also included 1,200 in Navsari, 800 in Valsad, 200 in Bharuch, 235 in Kheda, and 200 in Botad districts. Among those evacuated were 75 pregnant women—45 in Vadodara and 30 in Devbhumi Dwarka—who were taken to the nearest health centers.

Rivers Breach Safety Marks

Several rivers in Gujarat have breached their danger levels due to the continuous rainfall. In Bharuch district, low-lying areas were flooded after the Narmada River crossed its danger mark of 24 feet at the Golden Bridge, following the influx of water from dams in neighboring Madhya Pradesh.

Similarly, in Vadodara district, more than 3,000 residents were moved to safer locations after the Vishwamitri River crossed its danger level of 25 feet on Tuesday morning. The situation remains critical, with authorities continuing to monitor water levels and coordinate evacuation efforts.

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