#VadodaraRains: Four dead; 5,000 evacuated as heavy rains hit Gujarat
Four persons were killed and over 5,000 were evacuated in the city of Vadodara and surrounding areas in Central Gujarat, as heavy rains disrupted life in the state in the last two days. Services at the Vadodara Airport have been shut until Friday and several trains have been canceled/diverted. Further, all local schools and colleges were shut today. Here are more details.
Vadodara received record 442 mm rainfall on Wednesday
According to the state government, Vadodara received a staggering 442 mm downpour in a span of just 12 hours, between 8 AM and 8 PM on Wednesday, out of which as much as 286 mm rain fell in just four hours. Additionally, incessant rains also lashed other parts of central Gujarat, including Ahmedabad.
Torrential rains affect other parts of Gujarat as well
Apart from the Vadodara city, non-stop rains have affected other areas as well. Ahmedabad recorded 58 mm rainfall on Wednesday. Furthermore, areas like Dabhoi town (Vadodara district), Halol (Panchmahal), Karjan (Vadodara), Waghodiya (Vadodara), Umarpada (Surat) and Sankheda (Chhotaudepur) also received over 100 mm rainfall.
Aftermath: Schools, airport shut; several trains diverted/canceled
In the aftermath of the rains, four persons lost their lives in a wall collapse incident in Vadodara, on Wednesday. Furthermore, due to excess waterlogging, all local schools and colleges in the city were shut today. Services at the Vadodara Airport are expected to remain suspended until 9 AM on Friday, and several trains passing through the city have either been canceled or diverted.
On Thursday, Western Railways updated passengers about cancellation of trains
Meanwhile, rescue operations are underway in the state
Over the past couple of days, water from the overflowing Vishwamitri river entered several localities in the city, also bringing along a few crocodiles in the residential areas. Meanwhile, rescue operations are underway in the state. The fire brigade, Army and the National Disaster Response Force have evacuated more than 5,000 people, and shifted them to safer places, according to an official statement.
Watch: Locals capture crocodile in residential area in Vadodara
Gujarat government is constantly monitoring the situation
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani headed a high-level meeting on Wednesday evening to review the situation in Vadodara. The CM has appealed to people living in low-lying areas to be patient and cooperate with the administration during the evacuation procedure.
"Heavy to very heavy rains" over next two days: IMD
Further, according to an IMD forecast, several parts of Gujarat are bound to receive "heavy to very heavy rains" over next 2-3 days, especially in Valsad, Bharuch, Navsari, Tapi, Banaskantha and Patan districts. "Strong winds, speed reaching 40-50 kmph, are likely to prevail over north, central and adjoining southwest Arabian Sea, east-central Bay of Bengal and along and off Gujarat-Maharashtra-Goa coasts," IMD said.
Here are the emergency support numbers released by government
Government authorities have set up a 24-hour emergency control room for assisting people stuck due to the rains in Vadodara and adjacent areas. You can seek support at following numbers: 18002330265, 0265 2423101 and 0265 2426101.
