In view of the incessant rainfall and flooding in its wake, life and livelihood in Gujarat have been thrown out of normal gear. While some rivers are flowing close to the danger mark, the Purna, Ambika and Kaveri rivers well crossed limits, Wednesday. The mass inundation in adjoining reaches has affected nearly 40,000 people; over 2,500 have been shifted to safe relief camps.
On Thursday, state Revenue Minister Rajendra Trivedi, at a press briefing in Ahmedabad, stated that the red alert sounded earlier for five districts stands revised to include eight districts, w.e.f. Thursday. Earlier the weather department had issued a red alert for Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Dang, Valsad and Navsari.
However, the minister’s briefing has reworked the list, based on IMD’s weather forecast, to now sound red alert for Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari and Valsad. The warning extends till July 17, after which, the IMD suggests movement of rains away from Gujarat and upwards into North India.
Watch the minister’s brifing here:
Ever since monsoon mayhem gripped the state, the NDRF and SDRF teams have been working to help those stranded, particularly in the hinterlands. With basic essentials water and electricity sorely affected, the relief teams are battling odds in delivering packaged provisions, food and medicinal kits to survivors of the torrential outrage.
Adding to woes, heavy rains in adjoining Maharashtra since Sunday have aggravated the situation for both western states. The Khadakpurna Dam on course of River Purna has breached the permissible mark.
The minister also detailed safety measures put in place for inter and intra-state bus transport services. “Of the total 14,000 routes, only 148 have been shut. Nearly 27 state highways are closed to any traffic and 559 panchayat margs have been sealed to prevent any accident because of the gushing Purna. The Navsari National Highway, Dang NH and Kutch NH are all temporarily out of service,” he stated.
Four NDRF teams and two SDRF teams have been deployed in Navsari Valsad. “Of the three chopper planes petitioned for, two have been sanctioned and are helping in Navsari. Gandevi in the district is battered completely. Nearly 126 buildings have been damaged while 19 local dwellings have been pounded by the thundershowers,” his briefing added.
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