Rains take a break in parts of Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Aug 14 (UNI) Incessant rains lashing many parts of Gujarat for the past few days took a break today, though the sky remained cloudy.

The southern and central parts of the state, which were the worst affected, recorded very little rains today.

The road and rail traffic between Vadodara and Bharuch section also improved.

The waters of the Vishwamitri river in Vadodara and the Purna in Navsari, which were flowing above danger mark till yesterday, have receded. The authorities have released two lakh cusecs of water from the Damanganga dam after it crossed danger mark yesterday.

Consequently, the district administration has shifted more than 6,000 people from the low-lying areas in last couple of days.

As many as 15 dams in the state have overflowed, while high alert has been sounded for 26 others. According to state flood control office, one dam in Central Gujarat, six in South and eight in Saurasthra were flowing above the danger level.

The Met department has forecast moderate to heavy showers in the next 24 hours. Isolated places are also likely to receive more rains in the next 24 hours. North Gujarat, which has received substantial rains so far, is likely to receive good rains as the dark cyclonic clouds over North-West Madhya Pradesh have moved over Rajasthan.

The current spell of monsoon has brightened the prospects of Kharif crop in the state. The state agriculture department has predicted a bumper cotton crop and a good yield of other Kharif crops, including food grains and pulses.

UNI HT SSS AKJ GC1956