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Heavy incessant rain over the past few days in most parts of Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions has resulted into a calamity as swelling of rivers and water-logging in fields has caused massive damage to property and cattle in the rural areas. Over a dozen people have reportedly lost lives in the rain fury in the State over the past fortnight.
The worst affected Gir-Somnath district in Saurashtra received over 700 mm or about 100 per cent of its normal rainfall in the past one week. Similarly, Mahuva Taluka of Bhavnagar district was among the worst affected in the rain fury. The flood waters destroyed several houses and public property in the region.
As on July 17 morning data, overall rainfall for the State was recorded at 338.49 mm, which is about 41 per cent of the season’s normal rainfall of 831 mm.
Following heavy flooding in rivers and submerged towns, the state administration swung into action and evacuated over 700 persons from these parts of the state in last 24 hours. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed in these affected districts. The State has deployed 20 NDRF teams for rescue work in the affected areas.
On Tuesday, the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected Gir-Somnath district.
Connectivity to more than 30 villages was lost following water logging on roads. More than 100 state high-ways were blocked due to flooding, while national highways in the Saurashtra region and south Gujarat were affected as well. Submerged railway tracks and breaches on tracks due to heavy rains, prompted Western Railway to arrange buses to transport passengers from Khambhaliya to Jamnagar.
Rupani said, “We have also requested to the Indian Air Force to be on alert in case of any emergency.”
Meanwhile, the Met department has predicted more heavy rains in parts of the State over the next five days.
Notably, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the State on July 20 for various programmes in Valsad, Junagadh and Gandhinagar.
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