PM deputes Vaghela to assess flood damages in Surat

New Delhi, Aug 19 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has deputed Textiles Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela to make an on-the-spot assessment of damages caused by floods in Surat in Gujarat, the hub of textiles factories and diamond business.

Mr Vaghela, who is to leave tomorrow, will be leading a four-member delegation of his ministry, including Textiles Secretary D P Singh and a Joint Secretary. The Textiles Commissioner is to join the delegation from Mumbai.

''On his return from Surat, the minister will submit a report to the Prime Minister, which will form the basis for Dr Singh's visit to the flood-affected areas in Gujarat,'' sources close to Mr Vaghela told UNI.

During his visit, Mr Vaghela will tour extensively Surat, the industrial city of Gujarat which has been battered by the calamitous floods.

''The Prime Minister is likely to visit Gujarat once he gets the assessment report from the minister,'' the sources said.

Meanwhile, reports from Ahmedabad said threat of fresh floods once again loomed large over Central Gujarat as more than 12 lakh cusecs water was today released from the Kadana and Dharoi dams into the Mahi and Sabarmati rivers respectively.

High alert has been sounded for 33 villages of Panchmahals and 42 villages of Anand and four villages of Kheda district after authorities decided to release nine lakh cusecs water from Kadana dam.

The release of dam water had become necessary as rains continued to lash North Gujarat districts of Banaskantha, Sabarkantha and Mehsana overnight.

This is for the fourth time in this season that the Central Gujarat is facing the threat of floods.

UNI SKS YA Mir BD1907