Heavy rainfall in Gujarat kills 9, NDRF rescues 30 people

As heavy rainfall continue to wreak havoc in Gujarat, nine people were killed and nearly 1900 people were shifted to a safer place. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is deployed at several places for the rescue operation.

The rainfall has mainly affected the low-lying areas especially the Saurashtra region, disrupting normal life.

On Monday, the NDRF team rescued 30 people stranded from the flood-affected areas in Chikali village of Morbi district.They were later handed over to the district administration. 

Several parts of Gujarat have been receiving incessant rainfall in the past few days. Gujarat received more than 102 per cent of the annual average rainfall till Monday morning.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Monday predicted isolated extremely heavy rainfall over southwest Rajasthan and Gujarat.

"The low-pressure area lies over central parts of south Rajasthan and neighbourhood. It is very likely to move nearly westwards across west Rajasthan during next 2 days and become less marked thereafter. However, the associated cyclonic circulation is likely to meander over south Rajasthan neighbourhood region for subsequent 2-3 days. The monsoon is likely to remain active during next 2-3 days," the IMD said.

In 24 hours ending Monday morning, 251 talukas in 33 districts received rains, including seven talukas that received over 200 mm rainfall in Jamnagar, Mehsana, Morbi, and Patan districts, it said.

The Met department said Gujarat is very likely to receive an "active wet spell" during August 24 and August 25.

It predicted heavy to very heavy rains in isolated places in Gujarat region on Tuesday and issued an advisory for fishermen in north and south Gujarat coasts till Tuesday. 

(With agency input)