After Saurashtra, its now the turn of the North Gujarat region to bear the brunt of incessant rainfall. Heavy flooding in several areas has forced the State authorities to shift people out of low lying areas. Several hundred stranded people have been rescued.
On Monday, the authorities relocated more than 15000 people in North Gujarat districts, mostly in Banaskantha, to safer areas. The NDRF, Air Force, BSF and the Army were joined by other agencies in the rescue of more than 500 stranded people.
The State continues to be on high alert as the meteorological department has forecast more rains. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani conducted two aerial surveys and held meetings with officials. He also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation. He asked the district administration to accord top priority to rescuing people stranded in flood waters and shifting those in low lying areas.
Meanwhile, the continuing rainfall affected the rescue work of the Indian Air Force. Many of its choppers could not take off and those that did were forced to return to the base.
A Defence aircraft loaded with relief material and food packets had to return due to heavy rains in the target areas in Banaskantha district. The district administration has sounded a high alert and advised people not to venture out. Schools and colleges have been asked to to remain closed on Tuesday.
Seven persons have died in ran related incidents since July 20, while the death toll since the beginning of monsoon has touched 72.
Trains cancelled
The Ahmedabad-Delhi Rajdhani Express has been cancelled due to the break-down of tracks in Palanpur. The Agra Express has also been cancelled.
