Continuing rains take toll

AHMEDABAD, July 20: Even as heavy rains lashed South and Central Gujarat in the last 24 hours, rain-related deaths in the current season ...

AHMEDABAD, July 20: Even as heavy rains lashed South and Central Gujarat in the last 24 hours, rain-related deaths in the current season rose to 31 with seven more deaths being reported from different parts of the State.

Incessant rains paralysed normal life in Ahmedabad, while 1,900 people were reported to have been evacuated from low-lying areas in Surat.

In Bharuch district, the Narmada river was flowing above the danger mark at Dholi dam. According to reports, a canal being constructed by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited near Anwed village of Sanand taluka, Ahmedabad district, was also flooded.

In Ahmedabad city, the authorities were put on alert after Kharicut Canal, which passes through eastern parts, breached at two places in Viratnagar area flooding several low-lying residential societies in the area. A heavy rain in the canal8217;s catchment area caused the breach, said Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation8217;s control room. The Sabarmati river was flowing from bank to bank, with slums along the banks bearing the brunt.

Several low-lying areas turned into islands and many had to abandon their vehicles in the flooded streets. Most of the schools and educational institutions declared holiday but offices functioned normally, albeit with a skeletal staff.

Revenue Minister Vajubhai Vala said the season8217;s average rainfall received by the State was 359.42 mm, with Valsad district having registered the highest rainfall 1,442.64 mm, followed by Dangs 1,435 mm, Navsari 867.6 mm, Surat 580.86 mm, Narmada 374 mm, Kheda 364 mm, Junagadh 287.60 mm and Sabarkantha 258.60 mm. Kutch received the lowest rainfall of 29.20 mm, followed by Patan district having recorded the second lowest rainfall of 74.24 mm.

The water level in several dam reservoirs in different parts of the State has also started rising due to good rains. The Dholi dam in Jhagadia taluka, Bharuch district has started overflowing following heavy rains in its catchment area.