Gujarat Faces Flooding Amid Heavy Rainfall

Gujarat Faces Flooding Amid Heavy Rainfall

VoM News Desk | September 18, 2023 | 01:16 PM IST | Breaking News | Follow on Google News

Gujarat Faces Flooding Amid Heavy Rainfall. Image/ special Arrangements

Villages Cut Off, Residents Evacuated, and Relief Operations Underway

Heavy rainfall has besieged Gujarat since Sunday, leading to severe flooding in low-lying areas and the isolation of several villages. The state is grappling with rising water levels in rivers, including the Narmada River, which continues to flow at full capacity.

Evacuations and Rescues

Approximately 12,644 people from low-lying areas across eight districts have been evacuated and relocated to shelter homes. Additionally, 822 stranded citizens were rescued from seven districts. The incessant downpour has disrupted normal life in Vadodara, Bharuch, Narmada, Dahod, Panchmahal, Anand, and Gandhinagar districts.

Narmada River Water Levels

In Bharuch district, over 6,000 residents living along the banks of the Narmada River have been moved to safer locations over the past two days due to a surge in water levels, reaching 40 feet. This increase was caused by the discharge of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam located upstream. Although the water level has slowly decreased since Monday morning, some areas in Bharuch city and tehsil, as well as localities in Ankleshwar, remain submerged.

Challenges Faced

The current water level of the Narmada River at the Golden Bridge, connecting Ankleshwar to Bharuch, is 37.72 feet, nearly 10 feet above the danger mark of 28 feet. Despite the receding water levels, certain areas are still dealing with knee-deep water.

Government Response and Relief Efforts

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has been closely monitoring the situation, coordinating with district collectors, and overseeing relief and rescue operations. A total of 11,900 people from low-lying areas in various districts have been relocated to shelter homes. Relief and rescue operations involve the deployment of 10 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Additionally, 270 stranded citizens have been rescued, and efforts are underway to clear roads blocked by fallen trees.

Weather Forecast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted “light to moderate” rain at several places across Gujarat on Monday and Tuesday. Extremely heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in Arvalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, and Sabarkantha districts during the last 24 hours.

Impact on Transportation

Train traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route was halted for nearly 12 hours when the Narmada River surpassed the danger mark between Bharuch and Ankleshwar stations in Gujarat. However, train services gradually resumed around noon on Monday.

VoM News Desk

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