Ahmedabad, July 17: A youth drowned and another was feared swept away in the swirling waters of Banas river near Balaram village in Banaskantha district of north Gujarat as heavy rain continued to lash almost all parts of the state today. The body of youth was fished out while another was missing and "feared swept away" when a group of eight boys went for a swim. Six others, however, swam safely to the bank, district police sources said. Meanwhile, Dhanera Taluka in the district has received maximum (135 mm) rainfalls in the last 24-hour while five Talukas in the state were lashed by over 80 mm rainfall and 15 Talukas recording over 55 mm rains, official sources said last night.

Water supply minister Narottam Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar that state had received nearly 44 per cent of season's rainfall till date and high alert has been issued at 12 reservoirs which are filled to brim.
Also, 3000 cusec water is being released in the command areas of Narmada canal to irrigate 45,000 hectares land, the minister added.

Bureau Report