Flood fury in Saurashtra and South Gujarat has claimed 30 lives in the State, which is battling heavy incessant rains over the past few days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his scheduled visit to Gujarat on July 20 due to the prevailing flood situation.
The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Valsad, Junagadh and Gandhinagar for several public functions. Due to heavy rains, all the events have been cancelled in view of the prevailing bad weather condition in these regions, a state government communique said.
As on July 18 morning data, overall rainfall for the State was recorded at 364.25 mm, which is about 44 per cent of the season's normal rainfall of 831 mm.
So far, nearly 3,500 people from across the State have been shifted to safer places with the help of State administration and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. The State Government has distributed food packets and medical kit to the affected districts.
"So far during this monsoon season, 30 deaths have been reported, of which 10 died due to lightening, 11 due to drowning and 9 due to other reasons. Also, 125 cattle deaths have been reported," the State Government informed in a statement.
About 113 villages in six districts faced power outage due to heavy rains, which caused massive damage to property and farms in the rural areas. The worst affected Gir-Somnath district in Saurashtra received over 700 mm or about 100 per cent of its normal rainfall in the past one week.
Similarly, Mahuva Taluka of Bhavnagar district was among the worst affected in the rain fury. Flood water destroyed several houses and public property in the region. Following heavy flooding in rivers and submerged towns, 20 NDRF teams have been deployed for rescue work in the affected regions.
Saurashtra region has received nearly 54 per cent of the season's normal average, while South Gujarat has received 60 per cent rainfall so far. Gir Somnath district has received 120 per cent rainfall so far. Kutch and North Gujarat regions remained largely dry with nearly 8 per cent and 18 per cent rainfall, respectively.
On Tuesday, the Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, had conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected Gir-Somnath district.
Connectivity to more than 30 villages was lost due to water logging on roads. About 229 highways, including 2 national highways, 12 state highways and other local highways, were blocked due to flooding.
Railway tracks in the districts of Jamnagar and Junagadh developed breaches due to heavy flood flow, thereby disrupting the rail movement. Rupani said: "We have also requested to the Indian Air Force to be on alert in case of any emergency.” The Met department has predicted more heavy rains in parts of the State over the next five days.