Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani began visit to flood affected Banaskantha district and met kin of deceased at Kharia, Kankreja and Tharad areas after reviewing the situation sitting on boat on Sunday.
‘‘Unfortunately people of Banaskantha have seen worst ever flood in the past one century. The State Government is with the people who suffered due to the natural calamity. The Government alerted people in advance about the disaster and as a result of it, we could avoid large number of casualties,’’ said CM Rupani, adding that with the help of Army, NDRF, SDRF personnel, the State administration saved lives of more than 8000 people.
The Chief Minister said that he would camp at Patan town for another four days and oversee relief work. The State Government would take all possible measures to bring back normalcy in the flood affected areas as early as possible, he added.
Nearly 4.5 lakh people, 18 district and 800 villages have affected due to flood in Gujarat. As many as 60,446 people took shelter in 90 relief camps and 15.50 lakh food packets have been distributed in these camps. Over 1.12 lakh people shifted to safer places that include around 60,000 in worst affected Banaskantha and Patan districts. Numbers of people rescued are around 17000. As far as death toll is concerned, as many as 58 died due to flood, 33 due to lightening, six electrocuted and at least 14 lost their lives as a result of wall collapse. More than 60,000 people are taking shelter in 90 relief camps.
A total of 813 health teams surveyed around 20 lakh persons in affected areas. Near 19,000 persons have been given on the spot treatment. More than 600 roads still remain closed for vehicular traffic, including five national highways, 20 state highways. The state transport buses on about 1635 routes have also been hit, with 29 trains cancelled due to tracks under water. Of 203 dams in the State, 49 have been put under high alert and 18 on alert. Gujarat’s lifeline Sardar Sarovar Dam is filled up to 95 per cent of its capacity and reached 120.40 meters mark.
