Five die,7 missing in rain-related mishaps

Similarly,Ratilal Chambhania and Suryajitsinh Parmar,both residents of Deraja village in Dhrol taluka,were also killed in similar incidents. The fifth death was reported from Kharedi village of Kalavad taluka of the district. Sources said six persons were reported missing from Dared village of Jamnagar taluka.

Meanwhile,Indian Air Force,Indian Army,National Disaster Management Authority and Indian Coast Guard conducted a joint rescue operation in coastal villages of Balambha,Ranjitpara,Madhapar and Sampar in Jodiaya taluka of Jamnagar. While the IAF airlifted around 40 persons by flying two sorties of helicopters,around 100 more were rescued by boat.

“The villages were flooded on Thursday night after water was released from Aji-IV dam and incessant rain in the area. They were accommodated at primary school in Balmbha. All the evacuees returned to their homes as flood-waters receded Friday afternoon,” Jamnagar district collector Nalin Upadhyay said. Jamnagar was pounded by heavy rain on Thursday and early Friday. While Jamnagar had recorded 260 mm rain,Dhrol and Kalavad had received 100 and 225 mm rain respectively.

In Porbandar,ICG airlifted four persons from Chauta village in Kutiyana taluka and five from the bank of river Bhadar near Kutiyana town. They all were trapped in the flooding waters of Bhadar river. The Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) team also rescued eight persons from Gosa village,district flood control-room of Porbandar said.

Hardas Parmar,an ex-serviceman from Maiyari village of Kutiyana,was feared killed after he was washed away in the rising Bobadi river,a tributary of Bhadar. “Efforts are on to trace him,” control-room officials said.

Bhadar river is in spate since Bhadar dam near Gondal overflowed on Thursday afternoon. While most of the districts of Saurashtra got respite from rain on Friday,schools and colleges remained closed for second consecutive day. However,rail and road traffic was restored.

Meanwhile,Kutch experienced torrential rain on Friday. While Bhachauj and Anjar talukas registered 300 mm rain each,Bhuj recorded 175 mm. The historic Hamirsar lake in the Bhuj city also overflowed.