iHeavy rains in Gujarat; 4,000 evacuated in Bharuch

Heavy rains continued to lash many parts of Gujarat for the second day today, following which around 4,000 people from Bharuch district's 19 villages and the city had to be evacuated to safer places, officials said.
Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Bharuch, Narmada, major parts of Saurashtra and North Gujarat received heavy rains today. However, after a relatively dry afternoon, water levels receded in many places.
"Although it rained heavily in the morning, there was no rain since afternoon. Still, we have kept the State Reserve Police (SRP) and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) on alert. In all, 4,000 people from 19 villages and low-lying areas of Bharuch city have been evacuated to safer places," Bharuch district collector Avantika Singh told PTI.

"Close to 1,200 animals have been moved to various shelter camps. Water level has started receding and once it recedes considerably, we will start sending people back to their places," Singh said, adding that the water level at Golden Bridge has touched 31.5 foot.
Narmada district collector Rakesh Shankar said that 85 people from Sisodara village of Tilakwada taluka, who were shifted to a nearby government school yesterday were sent to their respective homes after rain water receded considerably today.
The water overflow level at the Sardar Sarovar Dam has receded to 127 metre from129.5 meters yesterday.

Ahmedabad city recorded average 47.36 mm rainfall in the morning while nine incidents of tree-felling were reported and two potholes had developed in the city.

Meanwhile, the local meteorological department has said that rainfall is expected to decrease in the next 24 hours.
"Yesterday's off-shore trough extending from Gujarat coast to Kerala coast still persists," Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) regional director Jayant Sarkar said.
"However, yesterday's low pressure area over West Madhya Pradesh and neighbourhood has now shifted over to South-East Rajasthan and adjoining areas. Therefore, scattered rainfall is expected over the entire state," Sarkar added.
The met department has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea during next 24 hours.