Gujarat rains kill 40, displace 55,000 people: IMD issues fresh red alert

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GANDHINAGAR, Gujarat: The heavy rain in the western coastal state of Gujarat has claimed the lives of 40 people and has displaced over 55,000 people across 25 districts since August 5. On Tuesday, September 3, the IMD issued a fresh red alert predicting heavy to extremely heavy rains in separate places in the state.

As per the IMD’s forecast, heavy, very heavy, and isolated extremely heavy rain will be witnessed in areas like Chhotaudepur, Narmada, Surat, and Tapi on Tuesday. Similarly, heavy to extremely heavy rain is expected in Banaskantha, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Bharuch, Dangs, Navsari, Valsad, and Tapi. Heavy rain hit Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Aravalli, Kheda, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Mahisagar, Anand, Bhavnagar, and Amreli.

The weather forecasting agency has also predicted the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning with surface winds of 30–40 km per hour in isolated places in the state. These conditions will remain the same for the coming few days.

Due to heavy rains in the past two weeks, dams and reservoirs, including the Sardar Sarovar Dam, are nearing their full capacity. Considering the situation, the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed for the rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

Earlier, on Monday, Songadh in the Tapi district recorded the highest rainfall at 218 mm (8.58 inches). Vaghai in the Dangs reported 194 mm of rain and Vansada 166 mm. After midday on Monday, Ahmedabad reported 22 mm of rain and Surat reported 8 mm of rain.