Several floods due to incessant rainfall in parts of Gujarat led to the deaths of three people and over 2000 displaced and rescued to saver places. The state government issued a high alert in the low-lying areas which are more prone to waterlogging. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts.
Also Read | Gujarat School Holiday: All Primary Schools to Remain Closed on August 27 Due to Heavy Rainfall.
The weather agency predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall was predicted in several districts of the state till the morning of August 29. Alert issued for districts including Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Dang, Tapi, Surat, Narmada, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad and in Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Dwarka, Botad and Kutch.
Severe Waterlogging Witnessed in Several Parts of Vadodara Due to Incessant Rainfall.
IMD also issued Orange and yellow alerts for most of these districts on August 30 and 31. Rainfall with gusting wind speed of 40-50 kmph is very likely over Gujarat. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a meeting over flood situation in the state. Announced the school holiday today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to CM and assured him of possible assistance in relief and support.
"Hon'ble Union Home Minister Amitbhai Shah had a telephone conversation with me today to get the details of the situation caused by heavy rains in Gujarat. He has assured the necessary assistance, including sending more help from central forces for rescue relief and disaster management in the state if required," Patel tweeted.
Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey said, "Secretaries were told to immediately arrange for electricity. Water should also be arranged wherever there is a power cut. 1653 people were rescued and 17800 people were shifted. There have been 99 deaths during the entire monsoon. 3 deaths have occurred in 24 hours, 1 in Dahod and 2 in Gandhinagar district."
"CM Bhupendra Patel has held a meeting today with all the district officials through videoconference and directed us regarding human life... He directed us that people shouldn't face electricity shortages, medicinal shortages and other needful things. In the coming 2-3 days, rain is expected as forecasted by the IMD, also Janmashtami is there and hence leaves of all the district collectors and concerned officials have been cancelled and they are expected to join the relief and rescue work," Pandey further said.