Rains ease in Gujarat, few villages still cut off

Ahmedabad, Aug 14 (UNI) Even as rains eased in Central Gujarat, relief operations are on in few villages of Anand and Kheda districts that have remained cut-off due to water-logging.

At least 59 rain-related deaths have been reported in the region, that has faced floods thrice since July 26.

Three persons including two sisters died yesterday in Kheda, taking the total number of deaths to 19. The sisters - Arpita, eight, and Jagruti,four, - slipped into the Shedi river in Alina kasba and drowned.

One Gani Vora was electrocuted in Kheda town. An unidentified body was found yesterday in Umetha, taking the season's toll in Anand district to 13.

Vadodara district has reported 27 deaths since the end of July officials said.

District Collector R R Varsani said food packets are being air-dropped in Tarapur and Khambhat as the areas are still water-logged. The choppers used to make eight sorties for the purpose. He said Tarapur-Bagodara highway has been closed for traffic due to flooding by Sabarmati river waters.

The Vautha village, considered as a holy place as seven rivers meet there, too has remained flooded.

Medical teams have been sent to flood-affected areas of Nadiad rural, Thasra, Matar, Kheda talukas. About 75,000 food packets, 43,500 water pouches were dropped, he said.

He said a part of the problem was that people of 25 villages refused to abide by warnings issued by District authorities. Hence, there were so many instances of people being stranded, he added.

This year there was 11,124 mm rains (in less than two weeks), compared to last year's 12,710 mm.

UNI TEAM MMG GB KR PM1603