Water-logging in Radhanpur triggers endless woes for residents

Palanpur, Aug 24 (UNI) Even as rains receded in North Gujarat, water-logging continued to ail Radhanpur, where rioting broke out on Tuesday when authorities tried to break the wall of a burial ground to release water that was inundating the town.

''The town is in a mess after four days of being submerged in the water. Heaps of garbage are lying around the place. Roads are water logged and filled with potholes. Unbearable stench coming out as carcasses of animals are lying scattered on the streets. Gutters are over flowing, with stinking water all over and even the water pipe lines are leaking,'' said several residents, when this correspondent spoke to them.

Heavy vehicles are stranded since Sunday, though the National Highway no 14 opened for vehicular traffic. Even Police Chief Vaghela admitted that the decision to open the National Highway was a hasty one, on the part of the National Highway Authority.

A few vehicles have been badly trapped in the marsh while long queues of trucks are seen lined up. ''We have to lift up the trapped vehicles with the help of cranes. It will take hours,'' he said.

On the health front, Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) of Patan District Dr T K Soni said, ''We have taken up health services on priority basis and are conducting a survey. At present, three medical and 18 paramedical teams are working in the town's primary health care centre.'' Several cases of water-borne diseases have been reported in the town and adjacent villages.

Collector J D Bhad said the accumulated water has begun receding.''We are sending a team of about 120 volunteers of Valmiki Samaj who have turned up at their own. We are also planning a special Medical camp as soon as the normalcy returns to the town.'' UNI XR-MMG PM MSJ BS1115