With four more carcasses of Asiatic lions been found near the receding waters of River Shetrunji in flood-hit Amreli and Bhavnagar district in Saurashtra region on Sunday, the death toll of lions have climbed to nine. The death toll of humans has also touched 90.
Confirming the deaths of at least nine lions, a senior forest official said nearly 30 lions are still missing. According to him, most of the lions died due to the flood in Shetruji River alongside the Gir forest. Of the carcasses, three were found from Amreli district and one from Bhavnagar district.
During search operation since the last four days, as many as nine carcasses have been found. Flash floods following unprecedented heavy rains in the drought-prone Saurashtra region also claimed 150 blue bulls (Nilgay), four spotted deers, a wild boar and a porcupine. The forest officials are also anticipating that more bodies of wild animals may be found in the coming days as the water of Shetruji River has started receding.
Meanwhile, roads and State highways in the worst-hit Amreli district has been completely washed away. The district administration has deployed 53 dumpers, 37 tractors and 35 JCB machines to repair and construct new roads.
As many as 66 teams have been deployed to clean flood-hit towns, including Bagasara, Kunkavav, Babapur, Chalala and Amreli. Nearly 900 personnel are working round-the-clock and they have reportedly disposed off 250 MT garbage. At present 20 JCB machines are active in cleaning tasks in the flood-affected areas.
Bodies of domestic animals are also being removed by 40 teams in the district. As per an estimate, nearly 1,000 cattle have been killed due to the floods. The Government has started seven fodder distribution centres in Amreli district where fodder is being given to farmers at `2 per kg.
Thirty teams of medical experts are on alert at the flood-affected. Already 477 patients have been cured by these teams. They are also distributing ORS packets in the flood-savaged villages.
Nearly 215 teams of Paschim Gujarat Vij Company limited (PGVCl), a State-run power distribution company are working day and night to restore electricity in 300 flood affected villages. According to official sources, electricity supply has been restored in 200 villages by Sunday evening.