29 dead as Gujarat receives heavy rainfall, more showers predicted over next two days

The western state has no hope of respite anytime soon as the met department predicted more showers.

The Met Office has sent out an alert for very heavy rainfall till August 30 with extremely heavy rains in isolated parts of districts in Saurashtra on Thursday.

With the latest spell, Gujarat has so far received 105 percent of its average annual rainfall, the State Emergency Operations Centre said.

Twenty-nine people have died in rain-related incidents since Sunday and around 18,000 people have been evacuated to safety.

Water from the Ajwa and Pratappura Reservoirs was released into Vishwamitri River, causing floods downstream. Parts of Vadodara and other cities and villages along the river have been under 10 to 12 feet of water.

Vadodara grappled with floods as the Vishwamitri river, flowing through the city, breached its banks and entered residential localities, inundating buildings, roads and vehicles.

An official release said 140 reservoirs and dams, and 24 rivers in the state were flowing above the danger mark.

Besides the National and State Disaster relief forces, the Army, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard have been called in for rescue and relief work.

Many people, who have not received food and drinking water for days, are yet to be evacuated from flooded areas. They are even struggling to stay safe, moving to rooftops under temporary sheds.

On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured all possible support and assistance.

State health minister Rushikesh Patel said the government is considering diverting the flood water into the Narmada canal instead of releasing it in Vishwamitri river