At least 13 people have died in the past four days in Gujarat due to floods. The State administration is taking assistance from the Army to speed up rescue work in flood-affected areas.
Though people in south and central Gujarat had some respite on Thursday as rain halted, the rain god has changed its direction towards the western Gujarat.
In little less than 36 hours, Rajkot received 20 inches of rain. Reports of heavy downpour are also coming from other parts of Saurashtra. Nearly, 3000 people that include 2,200 in Rajkot, were evacuated in flood-hit areas of Saurashtra region. Overall nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in the State. Confirming the death toll of 13, Gujarat Government’s spokesperson and senior Minister Nitin Patel said that 80 Army jawans are assisting local administration in rescue and relief work.
Unlike Surat, Bharuch and Vadodara, incessant rain came as a boon for the people of Rajkot. Despite good monsoon, most of the dams in the Saurashtra region were not filled. Especially people of Rajkot were facing drinking water shortage. However, in a single day heavy downpour not only filled all the dams of the region but also solved their drinking water problems. Rajkot Municipal Corporation announced to supply drinking water on a daily basis from October. Currently drinking water is being supplied on every alternate day.
Major rivers in Saurashtra region including Bhadar, Macchu, Nyari and Ozat are flooding with massive incoming of water. Most dams including the biggest Bhadar dam in the Saurashtra peninsula are overflowing. Villages in Junagadh, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts have been disconnected. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has cancelled buses from theses cities due to flooding rivers and rivulets. Saurashtra bound trains have also been cancelled.
Movements on Jamnagar-Porbander State highway have been restricted as floodwater is flowing over the road. Rescue operations have been started with the help of helicopter and boats. In the next 48 hours, more rain is expected in the region according to the Met department.
Waters of Gondali river passing through Gondal town have entered in a century old heritage library founded by rulers of erstwhile princely state Gondal. “Rare books were kept in the library that includes manuscripts too. There are chances these rare records may damage due to deluge,” said Acharya Ghanshyamji, a dweller of the town, whose forefathers were ‘Raj Vaidya’ (royal physicians).
Meanwhile, a lake at Halol town near Vadodara burst. Water of the lake not only flooded the town but nearly 20 villages were also deluged. Water started receding in Vaishwamitri river passing through Vadodara town, but people are still worrying due to overcast condition. “Rescue teams have started work to rehabilitate flood affected people. Receding water level in Vaishwamitri River is helping to speed up rescue work,” said senior Minister Saurabh Patel, who is elected from Vadodara.
Situation in Bharuch and Surat is improving, but due to flood water various parts of these cities have become filthy. Still people are facing water logging problems in low lying areas.
Taking advantage of situation, most of the airlines have increased prices of flights connecting Mumbai with various cities. On Thursday, tickets generally sold at Rs. 3000 were quoted at Rs 19000. Sources said that people travelling on National Highway No. 8 had to wait for hours due to heavy traffic jam near Bhruch. “Tea vendors on the road were charging as high as Rs. 50 per cup,” said a businessman, who stranded in the traffic jam for eight hours.