Flood wreaks havoc in Gujarat: 736 evacuated and 358 rescued, 12 highways shut

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar late on Saturday where he interacted with the district chiefs after attempts to reach Junagadh to review the situation in person proved futile.

In all 302 roads were closed, which included 271 panchayat roads, Pandey underlined in a statement. “These will be opened as the water recedes. Currently, 736 people have been evacuated to safe locations. State dams have received plenty of water due to rains in Junagadh Valsad, Gir-Somnath, Porbandar, and other districts. Narmada Dam is filled at 67 per cent while other dams have been completely filled,” he was quoted as saying.

A total of nine teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and the SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) have been deployed in districts affected by heavy rain. Two teams each of NDRF and SDRF are carrying out rescue and relief operations in Junagadh.

“According to the Meteorological Department, heavy rain is expected in Gir-Somnath, Junagadh, Kutch, Porbandar, and Valsad, Navsari in South Gujarat till tomorrow afternoon. The Commissioner has urged people not to go out unnecessarily and stay at home”, the statement added.