Centre rushes 12 additional NDRF teams to flood-hit Gujarat

New Delhi: Twelve NDRF teams are being airlifted and rushed to flood-hit areas of Gujarat, a senior official on Wednesday said.

While four teams will be airlifted tonight, the rest will be sent by tomorrow using IAF choppers and by road.

Ten National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are already engaged in relief and rescue operations in Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Bhuj, Banaskatha, Dwarka, Rajkot, Patan, Surat, Valsad and Morbi districts of the state.

"Twelve more NDRF teams are being rushed to Gujarat. They are well equipped with flood relief and rescue gadgets. The Home Ministry directed the teams to be moved in as soon as possible," the official said.

Each NDRF team includes 45 personnel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas and announced an interim assistance of Rs 500 crore for the state.

Heavy rains triggered floods in Banaskantha and Patan districts of Gujarat after which the Army, Indian Air Force and NDRF were called out for rescue and relief operations.

The death toll due to heavy rains and floods across the state stood at 94 till yesterday.

"So far, the NDRF has evacuated 1,162 people and 19 livestock from flood-affected areas," the official said.

Banaskantha and Patan are among the worst-hit districts due to downpours and flooding of the Banas and Sipu rivers.