Life limps back to normalcy as rain abates in Gujarat; toll 53

Ahmedabad, Aug 2 (UNI) Life is limping back to normalcy in Gujarat as rainfall has receeded in the last 24 hours, after facing unabated heavy rainfall for almost six days in the state.

However, one more death of a labourer, Gopal Bhanabhai Tadvi, has been reported from Anandpura village in Nasvadi taluka of Vadodara district this afternoon, taking the season's toll to 53, official sources said.

Gopal was drowned in Ashwin river when a portion of land on which he was standing caved-in. A massive operation for tracing his body has been launched.

Meanwhile, Gujarat government has launched a state-wide relief and rescue operation with help of local administration and local people, official sources said here.

Three helicopters of Indian Air Force (IAF) have also been pressed to air-drop food-packets, medicines and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, security personnel today rescued 130 children who were stranded in a school in a village in Kheda district, as monsoon fury abated across Gujarat since morning.

The children along with 20 staff members, had been trapped in the school building for the past four days though food and other requirements were being made available to them. As the flow of water reduced, the children could be easily carried on shoulders of the CRPF men deployed.

They were then taken to another school in Limbasi where they will be medically examined, Collector R R Varsani told UNI.

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