Floods in Gujarat: Number of deaths increases to 28, PM Modi calls Chief Minister

 

Floods in Gujarat: Number of deaths increases to 28, PM Modi calls Chief Minister; additional rainfall expected today with IMD issuing 'red' warning. 

Gujarat is still struggling with a substantial flood situation due to persistent heavy rain, with the IMD issuing a 'red' alert in various areas of the state. 

Gujarat is still dealing with a severe flood situation due to ongoing heavy rainfall, as the India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red' alert for various regions of the state on Thursday, August 19th. As per the meteorological department, the low-pressure area over Saurashtra and Kachchh is likely to strengthen as it heads towards the northeast Arabian Sea, leading to more widespread heavy precipitation in the area. During efforts to save people and move them to safety, the number of fatalities from accidents caused by rain has risen to 28 over the past three days. 

As indicated by IMD, 12 districts including Kachchh, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Botad are likely to experience very heavy rainfall. 

On Wednesday, areas in the Saurashtra region, like Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar, got 50mm to 200 mm of rain in a 12-hour timeframe until 6 pm. During this time, Bhanvad taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka district received 185 millimeters of rain, the most in the state, according to PTI. 

Six groups from the Army have been sent to help the 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams with rescue and aid efforts in the state. 

Alok Pandey, the state relief commissioner, stated that approximately 40,000 individuals have been relocated from the regions impacted by the floods. 

As outlined by NDRF examiner Manjit, 95 individuals have been saved while the inundation-like condition persists in certain regions of Gujarat. "In Dwarka, heavy rain has fallen for the past 48 hours...water has made its way into the homes of residents...our crew has saved 95 individuals up to now," he mentioned on Wednesday, as reported by ANI. 

At the same time, the number of fatalities in incidents related to rainfall in the city increased to 28. 

As per the statement from the Health Minister of Gujarat, Rushikesh Patel, over 5,000 individuals have been provided with rehabilitation measures up to this point, ANI stated. 

The IMD reported that the intense low pressure system over Saurashtra and Kachchh has stayed almost still in the last six hours and is situated roughly 50 km to the north-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat). “To travel in a southwest direction and appear in the northeast Arabian Sea by the morning of August 30th." As it moves in a west-southwest direction over the northeastern Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coastline, there is a chance that it may experience slight and temporary strengthening on the 30th of August," stated the meteorological department. 

Before today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel over the phone and promised him that the Central government would provide all necessary help and aid. "The Prime Minister offered advice on safeguarding the lives and animals of the population." Additionally, Gujarat was guaranteed to receive all essential aid and help from the Central Government," declared the CM. 

At the same time, CM Patel assessed the state's current conditions and encouraged officials to focus on providing assistance to individuals stuck in flooding, particularly in Vadodara city and district, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts. The main focus of the state government is to deliver food packets, water pouches, and medical supplies to individuals stranded in the flood until the water levels go down. "Not just that, the impacted regions experiencing power outages are being quickly repaired," he stated.