Gujarat floods worsen, 5000 people moved

GANDHINAGAR, July 27: More than 5,000 people and 2,509 cattle were evacuated on Sunday in Broach and Baroda districts of Gujarat as the Narmada water level crossed the danger mark in Broach following heavy rains since the last two days.

The turbulent Narmada crossed the danger mark of 7.32 metres at the Golden bridge near Bharuch in south Gujarat this morning. A report reaching the flood control room said that the level at Golden bridge is expected to rise up to 9.1 metres by 1500 hours today. Authorities have alerted the people of Ankleshwar, Nadod, Jhagadia and Baroda talukas to prepare for evacuation. Warning signals have been sounded.

Meanwhile, level at the Vatrak bridge on the national highway No. 8 near Kheda in central Gujarat has touched the danger mark following release of 1.5 cusec of water from the dam, following heavy rains in the catchment area of the river. People in 30 villages of various talukas of Sabarkantha and Kaira districts have been asked to move to safer places following flooding of Majum and Vatrak rivers, official sources said.

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Broach district authorities evacuated about 3,846 persons from 18 villages, while 1,574 were removed to safer places in Baroda.

Meanwhile, 170 out of 182 talukas in the state received heavy to moderate rainfall today.