Heavy rains lash parts of Gujarat; flood-like situation in Valsad

Ahmedabad, July 29: Heavy rains lashed many parts of

with Valsad district facing a flood-like situation due to continuous downpour.

"Valsad city has received 18 inches of rainfall during last 24 hours. Kaprada, Dharampur Pardi, Umergam and Vapi towns in the district are the worst-hit with continuous rains lashing them since yesterday," Valsad Collector Vikrant Pandey said.

Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been rushed to the district, he said. According to a statement from the Valsad collectorate, Auranga and Vanki rivers in the district are in full spate.

While Valsad city received 18 inches of rains in the last 24 hours ended this evening, Pardi recorded 14 inches of rainfall, Vapi (11.44 inches), Umergaon (6.32 inches), Dharampur (12.92 inches) and Kaprada (13.16 inches), the statement said.

About 150 families living in low-lying areas of Umergaon of Valsad have been shifted to safer places due to water-logging. Surat district in south Gujarat also received heavy to very heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been put into action

While Olpad town recorded 6.33 inches of rainfall, Surat city has witnessed 3.07 inches of rainfall, followed by Choryasi (1.45 inches) and Bardoli (0.9 inches), according to an official statement by the district collectorate.

In a rain-related incident, a state transport bus, carrying around 20 passengers, got stuck in an underpass which was filled with rain water at Nadiad in Kehda district of central Gujarat. However, a major tragedy was averted as they were rescued in time, police said.

Heavy rainfall was also recorded in Ahmedabad city leaving many areas inundated. Eastern part of the city is the worst-affected due to water-logging.

In neighbouring Vadodara district too, water-logging is reported on major roads. The Weather Department has forecast that "moderate to heavy rains or thundershowers" will continue for the next three days at many places in various districts of the state.

PTI