3000 stranded in Gujarat, toll reaches 56 in Marathwada

New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) More than 3,000 people were stranded in various parts of Gujarat as the death toll in Marathwada reached 56 and five casualties were reported from flood ravaged North Karnataka even as the flood situation in Surat improved with the water receding today.

Some 3,000 people were stranded in various parts of Central Gujarat as gushing dam waters released by the authorities, flooded large tracks of land since this morning. A high alert has been sounded in districts of Anand, Kheda, Vadodara, Panchmahals (Godhra) and Ahmedabad, as the administration ordered release of 17 lakh cusecs of water into river Mahi from three separate dams--Panam, Wanakbori and Kadana.

More than 2,000 people are trapped in scattered villages of Lunavada and Shehra talukas of Panchmahals. Rescue operations are on and about 24,000 food packets and 11,000 water pouches are being distributed, officials said.

Slum dwellers on the side of river Sabarmati were evacuated in Ahmedabad city. The district Collector had asked people living in low-lying areas from Vautha to Ingoli villages to move to safer places. Armymen were seen at work in Juna Bilitha and Juna Rabaria villages. At least 5,000 people have been shifted to safer places.

The flooding was caused by release of about eight lakh cusecs water from Kadana dam.

The office of district collector in Ahmedabad issued SMS as a precautionary measure to alert people. Entire night, mobile phones continued to buzz with SMS warning people living in the low lying areas on the banks of river Sabarmati to move to safer areas.

The death toll in the flood ravaged North Karnataka rose to five, even as ravaging Bhima river, flowing well above danger mark, submerged more areas in Bijapur and Gulbarga disitrict, following increased discharge of water from Ujjini and Veerbhatkal dams in Maharashtra.

Six villages, five in Indi taluk and one in Sindgi taluk, were completely surrounded by water, while 13 villages in Indi Taluk were partially covered with water. In all 3930 people were shifted to safer places and eight country boats were pressed into service to rescue people from marooned villages. overall 28 relief centres had been opened.

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