#VadodaraRains: Four dead; 5,000 evacuated as heavy rains hit Gujarat
What's the story
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.
Wednesday
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.
Information
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
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.
Twitter Post
On Thursday, Western Railways updated passengers about cancellation of trains
Psngrs may kindly note the cancellation of trains on 1/8/19 due to short termination of pairing rakes on 31/7/19 due to water logging at Vadodara following heavy rains. Pls dial 139 or click on https://t.co/I6LcHIGE16 for train status. pic.twitter.com/JBl5wwMWO8
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) August 1, 2019
Rescue operations
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.
Twitter Post
Watch: Locals capture crocodile in residential area in Vadodara
#Vadodara :
— Janak Dave (@dave_janak) August 1, 2019
रिहायशी इलाके मैं दिखे मगरमच्छ को आखिर पकड़ा गया...
घुटनों तक पानी होने के बावजूद मगरमच्छ को पकड़ा गया....
विश्वामित्री नदी की सतह पर अभी भी कई मगरमच्छ देखे गए है...@CollectorVad @VMCVadodara @MyVadodara #VadodaraRains pic.twitter.com/vOuIBXQHm4
Do you know?
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.
IMD forecast
"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.
Information
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.