Due to continuous rain fury in Gujarat, death toll increased to nine, even as over 400 people trapped in flooding water saved and more than 2,000 people shifted to safer places from the low lying areas by Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel as well as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
In view of incessant rains since past three days, Gujarat Government has opened State Emergency Centre at Gandhinagar. According to the Principal Revenue Secretary Pankaj Kumar, the situation is monitored by the State Emergency Operation Centre, under the guidance of the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary, in constant touch with District Collectors concerned through video-conferencing.
Acting on a requisition for Aerial rescue from the State administration, IAF swung into action in the wee hours on Sunday. A helicopter of the Jamnagar based helicopter unit of the IAF popularly known as the ‘Stallions’, has initiated rescue work from Ahmedabad airfield and took to the sky in the morning amidst extremely challenging weather.
‘’The helicopter soon reached at flood hit Siyani village in Surendranagar district where three people were found waiting with bated breath to be extricated from the midst of gushing flood waters running dangerously close and they were picked up and landed at a safe location. IAF was called in on Saturday to assist in evacuation of people stranded due flooding. In a similar operation last evening, the IAF had airlifted four people to safety,’’ said IAF communiqué, adding that IAF aircraft and crew continue to be in a State of readiness to respond to any more requests for rescue and relief.
Sources in the state government said that heavy rains continue to pour mainly in the Surendranagar-Chotila-Tankara-Morbi-Wankaner belt of Saurashtra region. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Brigades and Police are working to rescue people trapped in flooding water. Two persons in a car caught in the swirling waters near Wankaner town were by NDRF personnel. NDRF companies stationed at Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Palanpur, Surat and Valsad have been rushed to the affected regions, while eleven companies have been kept standby.
Power outage was reported from 124 villages in seven districts. Efforts are no to restore the supply as soon as possible. More than 20 dams are overflowing. People living downstream have been alerted. Vehicular traffic was affected in 32 road sections on National, State and District Highways. It was diverted temporarily and is being restored. Water level at Gujarat’s life live line Sardar Sarovar Dam increased and crossed 117 meter mark.