Heavy rainfall continues in south Gujarat, Saurashtra

Over 700 people have been rescued from flooded spots in the last one week as incessant rains are lashing south Gujarat and Saurashtra, affecting 25 villages, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today said.

As many as 32 people have lost their lives in rain-related accidents in the state since the onset of monsoon, he said, after holding a meeting to review the damage caused by rains.

The Revenue department has formed 161 teams to assess the loss of property and damage to crops, he announced.

"Rain-related incidents have claimed 32 lives this monsoon. Fourteen of them are drowning deaths while others died due to reasons such as electrocution or lightning strike," he said.

In the last one week, over 700 persons were rescued and shifted to safer places by local authorities and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the chief minister said.

"25 villages in 11 districts of Saurashtra and south Gujarat are badly affected. As waters have started receding today, we will now start the work of assessing the losses so as to distribute compensation," he said.

Electricity supply has been restored in all affected villages while the work to repair 111 roads damaged by rains has been started by the Road and Building Department, he said.

The state received 3 per cent more rain this year compared to the rainfall till July 19 last year, he said.

"Since North Gujarat and Kutch have remained dry so far, we have decided to provide water to these regions through the Narmada canal. However, the Met department has forecast good rains in these regions in coming days," said Rupani.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, monsoon weakened over south Gujarat and Saurashtra today.

Waghai and Ahwa tehsils of Dang district received the highest rainfall of 121 mm and 97 mm, respectively, between 8 AM to 6 PM today, followed by Vadodara tehsil of Vadodara district (93 mm), Vansda in Navsari (84 mm) and Dhansura tehsil of Arvalli district (73 mm).