New Delhi:
Gujarat was hit by heavy rainfall on Tuesday, causing flooding in several areas. Torrential rain caused severe flooding in Rajkot, Surat and Gir Somnath districts after the state received 300mm of rain in recent hours, forcing 70 people to evacuate.
Images on social media paint a grim picture in many areas with flooded streets, flooded cars and closed shops due to severe flooding.
The Meteorological Department of India (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in some districts of Saurashtra and South Gujarat in the coming days.
#WATCH | Gujarat | Severe flooding in Rajkot district of Dhoraji city due to incessant rainfall. (18.07)
About 300 mm of rain has fallen in the past few hours. 70 people have been transferred to safer places. pic.twitter.com/oaf5Z03q5R
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2023
According to the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), Sutrapada taluka in Gir Somnath district received the most rainfall in the state, with 345 mm recorded in just 14 hours since 6 am on Tuesday, while Dhoraji taluka in Rajkot district received 250 mm in just 14 hours, with 145 mm recorded in just two hours.
Surat was hit by heavy rainfall, with about 104 mm of precipitation during the day. Parts of Junagadh district also experienced torrential rain.
Due to the heavy inflow of water, 43 of Gujarat’s 206 reservoirs have been placed on the highest state of alert, 18 on alert mode and warnings on another 19, the state government said in a statement.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) have been put on high alert in light of the current rain situation.