The relentless downpour in Gujarat continued on Thursday, claiming more lives and wreaking havoc across the state. Over the past four days, more than 19 people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents, raising the total death toll to 26. As heavy rains battered multiple regions, approximately 17,800 residents were evacuated from flood-affected areas.In a tragic incident, seven individuals who went missing after their tractor trolley was swept away while crossing a flooded causeway near Dhavana village in Halvad taluka, Morbi district, were found dead. The victims had been missing since Sunday, and their bodies were recovered over the following days.Vadodara Grapples with FloodingDespite a brief pause in the rains, Vadodara continued to struggle with severe flooding. The Vishwamitri River, which flows through the city, breached its banks, submerging large low-lying areas. Buildings, roads, and vehicles were inundated, forcing residents to seek refuge on rooftops. Rescue operations were carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and three Army columns, who relocated stranded individuals to safer locations.Saurashtra Region Hit HardThe Saurashtra region bore the brunt of the torrential rains on Wednesday, with districts like Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar receiving between 50mm and 200mm of rainfall in just 12 hours. Bhanvad taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka district recorded the highest rainfall in the state, with 185mm in this period.IMD Forecasts More RainThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated parts of the Saurashtra region on Thursday, urging residents and authorities to remain vigilant.PM Modi Assures Support to GujaratAs the flood-like situation persisted across Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation. The Prime Minister assured the state of full support from the central government in managing the disaster. In a post on X, CM Patel stated, Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji had a telephonic conversation with me about the heavy rain situation in Gujarat and gathered details of the relief and rescue operations.Expanded Rescue Efforts in VadodaraIn response to the escalating crisis, Minister Rushikesh Patel announced that over 5,000 people had been evacuated and another 1,200 rescued in Vadodara alone. The Chief Minister directed the deployment of additional NDRF teams and Army columns to assist with rescue and relief operations in the city. Cleaning equipment and disinfectant sprays were ordered for immediate use once floodwaters begin to recede.Rescue and relief operations are being conducted by the NDRF, SDRF, Army, Indian Air Force, and Coast Guard across the rain-ravaged state. So far, around 17,800 people have been relocated, and another 2,000 have been rescued. The state has witnessed 26 fatalities in the last three days, with casualties reported from Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh, and Bharuch districts.Heavy rains have also disrupted transportation, with roads and railway lines flooded across the state. According to the Western Railways Ahmedabad division, 48 trains were canceled, 14 were partially annulled, 6 were short-terminated, and 23 others were diverted to alternative routes.
