Copy updated at 8.17 pm
The newly-elected Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel faces nature’s test as soon as he was sworn in on Monday, September 13. Heavy rains across Saurashtra and South India have caused floods in low-lying areas, rescue teams have been dispatched and people are being evacuated. Important roads have been closed in many places in Saurashtra. CM Patel held a meeting with officials on the rain situation in Jamnagar, as soon as he took the oath.
In Gujarat, Junagadh Visavadar received 17 inches of rain, while Jamnagar received 14 inches and Rajkot received 12 inches. Vanthali Manavadar Highway has been closed. Heavy rains continue to lash out at Kukavav village of Amreli district, with river water seeping into the fields. Heavy rains have been recorded in 147 talukas till 4 pm today. Dhoraji in Saurashtra received eight inches of rain and 10 inches in Kotda Sangani due to which 159 roads were closed till 4 pm. In addition, 15 state highways have been closed due to heavy rains.
Situation worsens in Jamnagar
Dark clouds continue to loom over Kalavad taluka of Jamnagar. Water seeped into houses in Panjetnagar of Kalawad taluka. In addition, an NDRF team has been sent to Kalawad to carry out rescue operations. NDRF team rescues 31 people including women and children. The local system is also on alert mode as the situation only worsens by the day. Jamnagar Collector Dr Saurabh Pardhi said, “We are facing heavy rains since last night. Many villages have drowned in floodwaters. In addition, NDRF and SDRF teams, Air Force helicopters have also been deployed for rescue operations.”
In addition to NDRF, SDRF, Air Force and Indian Navy teams, local fire officers are also carrying rescue operations. Together they have rescued 500 people so far.
Following the heavy rains in Jamnagar, the reservoirs of the district overflowed and now water has infiltrated into the city as well. Societies outside Kalawad Naka of the city, Khoja Naka area, areas near Subhash Market have been flooded. A rescue operation has been launched by the Manpani Fire Department to evacuate the affected people. People are being rescued by boat, by Air Force helicopters as well. Here villages including Dhudshiya, Alia, Moda, Dhunvav have submerged in water.
Overflow of Devbhoomi Dwarka district’s Vartu-1 dam
The water of Vartu dam between Navagam Bhanvad has stopped flowing over the bridge. Devbhoomi Dwarka has been receiving continuous rains since last night, flooding the low-lying areas and affecting vehicular traffic.
Heavy rains in Valsad The bridge over the river Aurangabad on Kailash Road has been closed due to heavy rains upstream in the river Aurangabad. People living in low-lying areas of the city have been alerted. The administration has been alerted to the rising water levels. The Valsad Mamlatdar has appealed to the people of Valsad to relocate to a nearby shelter home before the rains worsen the situation. Due to heavy rains in the off-stream, rivers are overflowing. However, the administration is taking all precautionary measures to avoid any adversaries.
The Valsad District Collector has stopped traffic on 27 roads with causeways in rural areas of Kaprada, Dharampur, Umargam taluka. The Valsad District Collector has instructed the people not to divert water on the causeway built on the roads connecting the rural areas of Kaprada, Dharampur, Pardi, Valsad and Umargam on 27 rural roads. The Valsad District Collector has informed the people through tweets.
Boat sinks in Thorali village
A boat sank in Thorali village of Sihor taluka in Bhavnagar. Four people were drowned in the incident, two of whom were rescued. The search for the other two continues. Police, Mamlatdar and villagers have launched an operation to find the two drowned. Fire crews and swimmers from Bhavnagar have launched an operation in the morning to find the missing persons till late at night. The missing have been identified as Forest Department employees.
Water flow increases in Bhadar Dam
Bhadar Dam near Dhoraji in Saurashtra has received a lot of water due to heavy rains. Due to this, low lying villages have been alerted. Villages in the Porbandar district have also been alerted. Villages namely Paswari, Segaras of Kutiana taluka, Garage, Navibandar, Mitrada of Porbandar taluka are out on high alert.
Willingdon Dam flooded in Junagadh
Willingdon Dam has overflowed due to heavy rains in Junagadh, for the first time in the season. Heavy rains have been reported in Girnar hills and Datar hills. There is an atmosphere of happiness among the people as the Willingdon Dam overflows. But, heavy floods have been observed in Damodar Kund and Sonarakh rivers and the foothills of Bhavnath have become waterlogged.
Meghmaher with thunder in Keshod panth
Thunderclouds and heavy rains lash out Keshod Panth of Junagadh. Two inches of rain has been reported here during the last 12 hours. Water inflow has started in the river-ditch and rainwater has flooded the green fields. It started raining on Sunday with a sudden thunderstorm in the night amid cloudy weather. The total rainfall recorded during the monsoon season is 28 inches.
The lifeline of the Ghed Panthak is the same Ozat river Ganditur. In Bamanasa and Balagam of Keshad panth, thousands of acres of water have turned back due to the breaking of the river bed. The Sarpanch of Bamanasa Ghed village has demanded immediate boat arrangements with the Tantra.
Jooj Dam overflows with rain in the upstream
Jooj Dam overflows owing to continuous rainfall. Considered as the lifeline of Vansada, Chikhli and Gandevi talukas, there’s a sense of ecstasy especially amongst farmers.
There is an overflow surface of 18.50 meters above Jooj Dam and the water levels have already exceeded this mark.
As many as six villages were alerted due to overflow of rare dams.
147 talukas in Gujarat receive heavy rainfall
Statistics of rainfall from morning 6 am to 4 pm
Gondal 6.5 inches
Paddhari 6.2 inches
Kaparadamam 5 inches
Junagadh 4.6 inches
Dholera 4.5 inches
Jamnagar 4 inches
Jamakandorana and Dharampur town 4 inches
Chota Udaipur and Dhrol 3.1 inches
Quant and Upleta 3.5 inches
Rajkot 12.2 inches
Lodhika in Rajkot 17.5 inches
Visavadar of Junagadh 14.5 inches
Dhoraji of Rajkot 8 inches
Kalawad 14 inches
Kotdasanghani 7.6 inches
