At least five died and hundreds of people were trapped in low-lying areas due to flood following heavy rains in South and Central Gujarat in the past couple of days.
South Gujarat towns Valsad and Navsari have been worst affected as most parts have marooned due to heavy rains. Rail and road traffic too affected badly towards Mumbai due to water logging and flood like situation.
Heavy rains in South Gujarat region since Monday night has seen entire belt of Vapi and Valsad see flood-like situation. Rivers in the South Gujarat region and adjoining Union Territory Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli are flowing at danger level.
The Coast Guard on Tuesday rescued 28 people and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team rescued another 106 persons in Valsad district in South Gujarat. The water level at Auranga River reached 11.5 metres, about a metre above the danger mark, leading to flooding in parts of district. The coast guard choppers braved the strong wind conditions to winch up 28 persons and shifted them to safe location. Meanwhile, several low-lying localities in Valsad city were under water and the NDRF team deployed helped evacuate about 106 persons to safety.
“On Tuesday, Indian Coast Guard Air Station Daman received telephonic information from Valsad administration (Gujarat) regarding 10 personnel trapped on roof top near Valsad due to rise of water in Auranga River. Coast Guard Chetak helicopter was launched within 15 minutes and rescued them,” a Coast Guard press communiqué said.
As many as 20 villages were cut off due to flooding in Ambika river in Dangs district, with reports of several bridges being damaged. The Vaghai-Saputara road that connects Gujarat to Maharashtra too was cut off due to landslides on Saputara ghat road, blocking traffic movement.
In Central Gujarat, Narmada district recorded three inches of rain, with widespread water logging in Rajpipla town. The fresh inflow of water from upstream saw water level in Sardar Sarovar Dam rise to 120.21 meters.