Gujarat rains: 19 people killed, thousands evacuated

At least 19 people were killed and over 1,000 relocated to safer places in the past one week in Gujarat following the torrential rains in the state. Heavy downpour over the past week marooned several residential and low-lying areas in Navsari and Valsad districts besides parts of Surat city in Gujarat.

According to officials, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed at ten locations in the state.

South Gujarat region, particularly Valsad, Surat and Navsari districts, have been bearing the brunt of downpour since early Thursday morning, leading to waterlogging on roads and overflowing of rivers which affected normal life.

State Relief Commissioner Manoj Kothari said 19 people have died in the state since June due to various rain-related accidents like lightning and electrocution.

Kothari said teams of the NDRF have been deployed at ten different locations to carry out relief and rescue operations.

“We have shifted around 900 people to safer places following incessant rains in south Gujarat during the last two days,” he said.

The official said high tide had prevented the river water from flowing into sea in the region this morning.

“However, water has started receding since evening in south Gujarat,” Kothari added.

In Saurashtra, heavy rainfall was recorded in Una and Kodinar talukas of Gir Somnath district. Showers have also lashed parts of Bhavnagar and Amreli this morning.

As per the data released by the state government, Waghai taluka in Dang district today received the highest rainfall in the state at 121 mm between 8:00 am and 6 pm.

The meteorological centre here has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in south and central Gujarat in the next 24 hours and “extremely heavy rainfall” in Valsad, Surat and Navsari.

(With PTI Inputs)