Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted a video conference from the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) in Gandhinagar on Tuesday to review the relief and rescue efforts being undertaken in response to the heavy rainfall across the state, a press release said. According to the press release, Patel received detailed reports from district collectors and municipal commissioners regarding the prompt relocation of people to safer locations, rescue operations, the availability of essential supplies, and the arrangement of relief kitchens during the meeting.
The meeting at SEOC was attended by Additional Chief Secretaries Pankaj Joshi and MK Das, along with senior officials from the departments of Revenue, Energy, Health, Water Supply, Roads, and Buildings, among others.|
During this review meeting, it was reported that as of 10 AM on Tuesday, 27 August, the state had received a total of 99.66 per cent of its seasonal rainfall. The Kutch region recorded 116.79 per cent of its average rainfall, North Gujarat 79.99 per cent, Saurashtra 101.52 per cent, South Gujarat 108.20 per cent, and Central Gujarat 98.74 per cent.
In the past 24 hours, rainfall was recorded in 251 talukas across 33 districts of the state, with the highest rainfall of 347 mm in Tankara taluka of Morbi district. The average rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours was 94.20 mm. From 6 AM to 10 AM on Tuesday, Rajkot taluka recorded the highest rainfall of 142 mm.
The Chief Minister reviewed the situation caused by the overflow of 15 rivers, 21 lakes, and reservoirs in the state due to heavy rainfall. He issued clear instructions to the district collectors that no individual should approach these overflowing rivers, streams, or lakes, and strict vigilance must be maintained.
The Chief Minister directed all district collectors to prevent people from going near the flow of overflowing rivers or streams, with strict enforcement using police assistance.
During the review of the state’s reservoirs, it was reported that 206 reservoirs had received 72.33 per cent of their water storage capacity, with 76 reservoirs being completely filled, 96 placed on high alert, and 19 on alert.
The meeting highlighted that the state government had allocated six Army units to assist in relief and rescue operations during this natural disaster. Additionally, 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were helping with disaster management.
The Army’s six units have been deployed in Devbhumi Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi, and Rajkot districts for relief and rescue operations. Furthermore, the Navy and Coast Guard have also joined the relief and rescue efforts.