Since the onset of the monsoon on June 15, heavy rains have claimed 65 lives and left thousands stranded across various parts of Gujarat. The rain-related death toll so far has reached 65, stated an official from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). On July 24-25, 12 deaths were reported due to rains. These fatalities occurred due to lightning, drowning, and house collapses.Tragically, on Thursday, three individuals lost their lives due to the inclement weather. Earlier in the week, nine fatalities were reported across Devbhumi Dwarka (3), Banaskantha (2), Kutch (2), Rajkot (1), and Surat (1). Among the victims were three women from the same family who perished when a three-story building collapsed in Devbhumi Dwarka.Mass evacuations and predictions of more rainA government official, speaking anonymously, revealed that a total of 14,552 people had been rehabilitated as of 4 PM on Friday. The Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall for districts including Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Panchmahal, Dohad, Vadodara, Chotta Udepur, Narmada, Baruch, Dang, and Tapi on Saturday.Orange alert issued in MaharashtraIn addition to the situation in Gujarat, the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in eight districts of Maharashtra on Saturday. As rescue operations continue and the rain persists, authorities are on high alert to mitigate further damage and provide aid to affected residents.
