NDRF rescues 7, relocates 950 people as rain batters Gujarat

VALSAD, Gujarat: A team of the National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) has relocated nearly 950 people as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts heavy rain in the Valsad district of Gujarat. NDRF also rescued seven stranded people on Monday, August 5.

An official from the State Emergency and Operation Centre (SEOC) said, “The seven people were stuck in the Auranga River because of continuous rainfall and high tide. The nearby low-lying areas of the river have been flooded. Most of the stranded people were fishermen. As many as 952 people have been rehabilitated due to the overflowing river.”

As per the SEOC data, the southern regions of the coastal state have been experiencing intense rainfall for the last 24 hours. The rain is heaviest in the Navsari and Valsad districts. For instance, Khergam Taluka in Navsari has reported nearly nine inches (228.6 mm) of rainfall. Similarly, Valsad districts have reported seven inches (177.8 mm) of rain.

Till now, Chikhli and Vansda in Navsari district, Dang-Ahwa in Dang district, and Kaprada in Valsad district have reported six inches (152.4 mm) of rainfall each. Similarly, Vaghai and Pardi have recorded five inches (127 mm) of rain; Vapi, Subir, and Dolvan received four inches (101.6 mm) of rain; and Gandevi and Tilakwada reported two inches (50.8 mm) of rainfall.

Gujarat has received nearly 67 per cent of the average monsoon rainfall as of 6 am on Monday. As per the data, Kutch district has already received 86 per cent of its seasonal average, followed by South Gujarat with 81 per cent and Saurashtra with 77 per cent of the seasonal average.

IMD has issued an orange alert for the state, forecasting heavy rain and thunderstorms for the next five days. Apart from that, heavy to very heavy rain is likely to happen in isolated places in the state in the next 24 hours.