CM reviews relief efforts as Gujarat braces for more heavy rain
Updated: Aug 27th, 2024
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led a meeting from the State Emergency Operation Center today to review the state’s preparedness amid widespread heavy rainfall. The meeting focused on assessing rescue and relief measures implemented across the state, where heavy rain is expected over the next three days.
Reservoirs full
As of 10 am on Aug 27, the state has received 99.66% of its seasonal rainfall average.
- Kutch: 116.79%
- North Gujarat: 79.99%
- Saurashtra: 101.52%
- South Gujarat 108.20%
- Central Gujarat 98.74%
In the past 24 hours, rain has affected 251 talukas across 33 districts. Tankara taluka in Morbi district recorded the highest rainfall at 347 mm, while the state average stood at 94.20 mm. Rajkot taluka experienced 142 mm of rain between 6 am and 10 am on Aug 27 alone.
The state's 206 water reservoirs are now at 72.73% capacity, with 76 reservoirs completely full, 96 on high alert, and 19 on alert.
Life disrupted
The government has announced aid to the families of seven people who have died due to wall collapse, drowning and falling trees due to heavy rains.
The Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have joined the rescue and relief efforts alongside the National and State Disaster Response Forces. So far, 23,871 people have been evacuated, and 1,696 people rescued. Panchmahal district has the highest number of evacuees.
Power supply, disrupted by the heavy rain in 8,824 villages, has been restored to 7,806 villages. Of the 6,615 power poles that were damaged, 6,033 have been repaired, CM Patel was informed. As 806 roads are closed, the road building department has been urged to take up the repair work as soon as the rain stops.
Further precautions needed
The heavy downpour has resulted in 15 rivers and 21 lakes and dams overflowing. CM Patel instructed district collectors to exercise extreme caution and prevent people from approaching these water bodies. He emphasised strict enforcement with police assistance to ensure public safety.
With inclement weather predicted until Aug 30, CM Patel directed municipal commissioners and district collectors to prepare for evacuations, water disposal, chlorination, and mosquito control measures. He stressed the importance of coordinating with the Health Department to ensure adequate medicine supplies.
In attendance
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Rajkumar, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Shri Pankaj Joshi, MK Das, senior secretaries of departments related to revenue, energy, health, water supply, road construction, etc. Representatives from the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Army also joined the video conference.
Congress demands PM Modi’s intervene
The Gujarat Congress has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for immediate and decisive action to alleviate the suffering of the state’s residents.
The letter, penned by senior Congress leader and Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief Shaktisinh Gohil, outlines the dire situation across several regions, including Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Morbi and Kutch, where heavy rains have led to widespread flooding and devastation.
The letter highlights the “critical need for more National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to be deployed in the affected areas, as many cities and villages face extreme hardship. Despite the state's efforts, complaints about the slow and inadequate delivery of relief have been widespread. Overflowing sewage in urban areas poses a severe health risk, with the potential for disease outbreaks.”
Furthermore, the letter addresses “issues of corruption in drainage projects, which have exacerbated the difficulties residents face in urban areas”. The Congress has stressed the need for special assistance for farmers and support for small businesses that have been severely affected by the monsoon.
