Gujarat CM Orders Evacuation of People From Low-Lying Areas As State Witness Intense Downpour

Gandhinagar: As heavy downpour continues in Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed officials to evacuate those people residing in low-lying areas to safe places.

Valsad, Tapi, Navsari, Surat, Narmada, and Panchmahal districts of South Gujarat have been most affected by the heavy rainfall.The Chief Minister also held a telephonic conversation with the collectors of the abovementioned rain affected districts to get the details of the entire situation. He also assured SDRF-NDRF of complete assistance from the state, according to a statement from the CMO. 

Districts like Surat, Tapi and Narmada have also been severely affected due to heavy rains, official said.

More than 600 persons living in low-lying areas in Valsad were relocated to safety due to heavy rains, they added.

"A total of 17 persons were shifted in Bilimora city after flooding in low-lying areas. The administration is also keeping a close watch on rising water levels of Purna and Kaveri rivers," said AM Gamit, Executive Magistrate (Disaster), Navsari.

The CM said the State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF and NDRF) teams were deployed and available for required assistance.

Amid rainfall in catchment areas, the water level of Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam rose sharply and stood at 135.30 metres on Sunday, just a few metres below its full-reservoir capacity of 138.68 metres, officials said.

As per SSNNL officials, the dam reservoir was receiving 2,65,748 cusecs water from upstream, and 15 radial gates of the dam were opened for discharge.

(With inputs from agencies)