Gujarat Flood: Devastating Rain and Flooding Lead to Red Alert in 11 Districts
In Gujarat, relentless heavy rainfall over the past four days has caused widespread devastation, with flooding impacting numerous areas and leading to significant disruptions in daily life. The death toll has risen to 26 as a result of the floods and heavy rains, affecting the districts of Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh, and Bharuch.
Over 40,000 individuals have been displaced, with more than 17,000 people relocated to safer areas. The situation remains dire as continuous rainfall persisted into the fourth day on Wednesday, exacerbating the crisis. In Vadodara, conditions are particularly alarming, with some areas submerged under 10 to 12 feet of water. Relief and rescue operations are underway, with NDRF and SDRF teams actively involved in rescue efforts.
Red Alert Issued for 11 Districts
The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for 11 districts in Gujarat and a yellow alert for 22 others, predicting heavy rainfalls throughout Thursday. The districts under red alert include Kutch, Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Botad, Gir Somnath, Amreli, and Bhavnagar. Yellow alerts have been issued for North Gujarat, South Gujarat, and Central Gujarat. On Wednesday, districts such as Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar recorded rainfall ranging from 50 to 200 millimeters.
Bhavnad in Devbhoomi Dwarka received 185 millimeters of rain, the highest in the state. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in various parts of Saurashtra. In Vadodara, the intense rainfall has led to severe waterlogging, with roads, buildings, and vehicles submerged. In Morbi, a tractor-trailer was swept away while crossing a bridge, and the bodies of the missing passengers were later recovered.
Prime Minister Modi Reviews Flood Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the flood situation in Gujarat through a phone call with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured assistance. Chief Minister Patel has deployed multiple teams to rescue people, with over 5,000 individuals evacuated and 1,200 others rescued in Vadodara alone.
The floods have also caused rivers in Gujarat to rise above danger levels, flooding low-lying areas. The transportation infrastructure has been severely affected, with roads and railway tracks submerged, leading to the cancellation of eight trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, and partial cancellations of ten others.
