Rains recede in Central Gujarat, flood situation improves

Ahmedabad, Aug 13: With rains receding since last night, the flood situation in Central Gujarat has improved considerably, even as Armymen and district administration officials were undertaking rescue operations in various parts of the state.

The flow of water from Kadana dam has reduced to just 1.13 lakh cusecs. Both Mahi and Sabarmati rivers which had swollen up significantly are now flowing well below the danger mark.The flow of water from the Panam dam has gone down.

Threat of floods had loomed large over the six districts of Kheda, Vadodara, Panchmahals, Anand, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar since Friday night after district authorities ordered release of 18 lakh cusecs water from five dams into Mahisagar and Sabarmati rivers.

Rains have declined mostly over all these districts now, with Vadodara city getting 140 mm rains since last night and Savli and Padra talukas of the district getting 101 mm and 142 mm rains. Halol recieved 110 mm and Jambugoda 101 mm (both in Panchmahals).

More than 70,000 people had to be evacuated to safer places from 250 villages across 18 talukas. More than five million people are directly affected by the flash floods in the region.

Life in rain-battered Surat is limping back to normal as water-level in most parts of the city receded.

Certain parts of the city, however, witnessed food shortages.

Threat of epidemic looms large in Surat city.

UNI