IMD Red Alert
It is raining incessantly in Gujarat. Major cities of the state were flooded. More rains are likely in the state in the coming days. The situation in Vadadora is worse. Some areas here are submerged in 10 to 12 feet of water. Rescue operations are also going on.
IMD Red Alert
The IMD has predicted that the deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch, currently centered about 50 km north-northwest of Bhuj, will move towards northeast Arabian Seaue to this, heavy rains will fall across the district. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert for several districts of Gujarat including Vadodara, Chotadepur, Narmada, Bharuch and Surat.
28 people died
Flooding started across the state from Sunday. Around 28 people have died since then. Thousands of people have become homeless due to the fourth consecutive day of rain in the state.
Four more days
IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav said that the deep depression is moving at a speed of 12 km per hour and heavy to very heavy rains are expected over Saurashtra and Kutch. Heavy rains have been issued for the next four days.
According to the official announcement, 140 reservoirs, dams and 24 rivers in the state are flowing beyond the danger level. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rains till August 30.
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Riots in Vadodara
Many areas of Vadodara have been flooded for two days. In some areas there is 12 feet of water. The Vishwamitra river flowing through this district is flowing rapidly. Due to heavy rains the water level rose to 37 feet due to release of water from Ajwa Dam. Due to the floods, the army was called in to carry out relief operations.
A newly constructed road near Rajali crossing on the way from Dabhoi to Statue of Unity was washed away. People have accused corruption in the construction of roads. Rivers Dev and Dhadhar are flowing fast. They are creating havoc in this area.
State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said that the situation in Vadodara is alarming. 5,000 residents were evacuated. 1,200 stranded people were rescued. The Minister disclosed that teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are working to speed up the relief operations.
Areas like Siddharth Nagar, Akota, Fatehganj are already under water. The government is looking at long-term solutions to reduce flooding. It is proposed to divert the water from Ajwa Dam to the Narmada Canal instead of flowing into Vishwamitra River. The Health Minister said that he discussed the plan with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.