Gujarat Heavy Rain: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Gujarat, forecasting continued heavy rainfall across the state. In response, authorities have ordered the closure of schools on Tuesday.
The severe weather has already led to the evacuation of 17,827 people and the rescue of 1,653 individuals from flood-affected areas after intense rains on Monday.
Gujarat Heavy Rain Causes Severe Disruptions:
On Monday, several areas in Gujarat recorded rainfall between 200 and 300 mm, leading to significant waterlogging in cities like Vadodara and Ahmedabad. The heavy downpour caused widespread disruptions, including the closure of submerged underpasses and major traffic jams in Ahmedabad.
The relentless rain has led to several tragic incidents. A tractor carrying 17 people was swept away while crossing a bridge at Dhavana on Sunday. While nine people managed to swim to safety, eight remain missing.
Additionally, five people in an auto-rickshaw were washed away in Ghanad; four were rescued, but the search for a missing woman continued late into Monday. A herdsman was also swept away in Butvada village on Sunday evening.
Gujarat Heavy Rain Rescue and Relief Efforts Intensify:
To manage the crisis, the government has deployed 13 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to the flood-hit districts.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a meeting in Gandhinagar to assess the situation and visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). He also communicated virtually with collectors, municipal commissioners, and other officials from the affected areas.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Patel mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah called him to discuss the rainfall situation in Gujarat. Shah assured Patel that the central government would provide necessary assistance, including additional forces for rescue, relief, and disaster management if required.
Ongoing Challenges and Impact:
An official from the SEOC mentioned that data compilation is ongoing, and the death toll is yet to be determined. The monsoon has been particularly active across Gujarat, with the state receiving 91.88% of its average seasonal rainfall.
59 out of 206 reservoirs are at full capacity, and a high alert has been issued for 72 reservoirs. Additionally, seven rivers in the state are overflowing, with the Sardar Sarovar Dam at 88.74% of its total storage capacity.
Electricity has been restored in 6,977 of the 7,009 affected villages, and 523 roads remain closed in areas such as Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Dang, and Chhota Udaipur.
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