Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jul 24: Flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has affected several parts of Gujarat, with rescue agencies carrying out large-scale operations across Navsari, Valsad, Tapi and Surat districts.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 67 people, including 25 women and 22 children, from floodwaters in Sarikhurad village of Navsari district.
The rescue operation was undertaken by the 6th Battalion of NDRF after the district administration alerted authorities about villagers stranded due to rising floodwaters. Rescue teams continue to remain deployed in the affected areas.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi are closely monitoring the flood situation. Sanghavi visited Navsari to review the ground situation and instructed officials to ensure that rescue, relief and evacuation measures are carried out without any shortage of resources.
Meanwhile, the state government has deployed 10 senior officers to Valsad district to strengthen coordination and relief efforts.
In Valsad, rescue operations have been intensified with the deployment of 70 Army personnel along with five boats, five NDRF teams, five SDRF teams and 25 Fire Brigade personnel. More than 500 residents from Umargam, Vapi, Dharampur and Pardi talukas have been moved to safer locations.
Navsari District In-charge Minister Kanubhai Desai visited the Disaster Control Room and reviewed the flood situation following heavy rainfall.
District Collector Manish Gurwani said the district received an average rainfall of 4.5 inches till 2 pm. Overflowing of Juj and Keliya dams has affected connectivity, with around 250 roads closed and nearly 3,000 people shifted to relief shelters.
Officials have been directed to ensure proper healthcare facilities, sanitation arrangements and coordination between various departments at the relief centres.
In Tapi district, SDRF personnel rescued 11 villagers stranded after floodwaters entered Dhodiyawad Faliya in Dolvan taluka following intense rainfall.
Surat city also witnessed extensive rescue operations, with emergency teams working round the clock. More than 50 residents were rescued from Geeta Nagar in Limbayat, Shitala Mata Mandir area in Varachha and Krishna Nagar in Udhna.
So far, over 2,200 people from Surat city and more than 2,600 residents from rural areas of the district have been rescued and shifted to relief centres and safer locations as authorities continue efforts to manage the flood situation.