Heavy rains flood Ahmedabad as Gujarat seeks additional Central forces

There seems to be no relief in sight for Gujarat from the rain fury for at least the next 24 hours as the Met Department has predicted more heavy to very heavy spells of rain at isolated locations in the state, including Central and North Gujarat, besides Saurashtra and Kutch.

Ahmedabad woke up to flooded localities after heavy overnight rains lashed parts of central Gujarat, on Thursday. Rain waters flooded residential areas in Ahmedabad, where the NDRF conducted rescue work and shifted people stranded in submerged societies to safer places. As many as 21 trains were cancelled and 14 short-terminated in Ahmedabad division of the Western Railways.

Ahmedabad received 170 mm of rainfall, while Dahegam received 136 mm, Kalol 129 mm and Gandhinagar 120 mm.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani visited the affected areas of Ahmedabad and conducted an inspection of the rescue work early on Thursday. The state administration has also demanded additional forces from the Centre to reach out to the flood-affected areas, especially in the North Gujarat districts of Banaskantha, Patan and Mehsana.

Briefing the media on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said eight more NDRF teams would join the rescue work in the affected districts, apart from the existing 10 teams of the NDRF, six columns of the Army, 11 teams of the SDRF and six teams of BSF jawans from Dantiwada BSF camp. Those stranded in far-flung villages marooned by the flood waters, are being airlifted on Indian Air Force helicopters.

Patel further said close to 55,000 people have been evacuated to safety as water levels have risen. Also, power supply remained disrupted in districts of Banaskantha, Patan, Gandhinagar and Kheda following the heavy rainfall in Central Gujarat.

According to government records, 32 dams are 100 per cent full, while water discharge from dams in north Gujarat has also reduced post reduction in the inflow from the upper catchment areas. The Narmada dam recorded 118.89 metre filling or 90.38 per cent of its total capacity. Across the state, 42 water reservoirs have been put on high alert.

The government claimed that about 111 people have lost their lives in the state since the onset of the monsoon in June. Close to 1,100 cattle have died due to floods in the affected regions. The Chief Minister has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh to each of the next of kin of those killed in the floods. This is in addition to the Rs 2 lakh compensation announced under the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

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