Prime Minister Modi Assures Full Support to Gujarat Amid Devastating Floods; Death Toll Climbs to 28
Ahmedabad, 29th August 2024: Gujarat is currently battling a severe flood crisis as persistent heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red’ alert across multiple regions in the state as of Thursday, August 19. The IMD warns that a deep depression over Saurashtra and Kachchh is expected to strengthen as it progresses toward the northeast Arabian Sea, leading to more downpours across the area. Despite ongoing rescue efforts and evacuations, the death toll from rain-related incidents has tragically climbed to 28 over the past three days.
Gujarat Floods: Latest Developments
IMD predicts extremely heavy rainfall in 12 districts: Kachchh, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Botad.
On Wednesday, districts in the Saurashtra region, including Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar, witnessed rainfall between 50 mm and 200 mm in a 12-hour window ending at 6 pm. Bhanvad taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka recorded the highest rainfall, at 185 mm, during this period.
Six Army contingents have been mobilized to aid the 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams conducting rescue and relief operations across the state.
State relief commissioner Alok Pandey reported that approximately 40,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit regions.
NDRF Inspector Manjit shared that 95 people have been rescued as flooding continues in parts of Gujarat. “In the past two days, Dwarka has experienced heavy rain, with water entering homes. Our team has rescued 95 individuals so far,” he said on Wednesday.
The death toll from rain-related incidents across the state has risen to 28.
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel informed that over 5,000 people have been relocated to safer areas.
The IMD reported that the deep depression over Saurashtra and Kachchh remained nearly stationary for six hours and was situated approximately 50 km north-northwest of Bhuj. “It is expected to move west-southwest and enter the northeast Arabian Sea by the morning of August 30. There is potential for brief intensification as it moves over the northeast Arabian Sea,” the IMD stated.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over the phone, assuring him of full support and assistance from the Central government. “The Prime Minister offered guidance on safeguarding citizens and livestock and assured that the Central Government will extend all necessary support,” the Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Patel also held a review meeting on the state’s situation, urging officials to prioritize relief efforts for those stranded by floodwaters, particularly in Vadodara City, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts. “The state government’s immediate priority is to provide food, drinking water, and medical supplies to those trapped by the floods until the water levels recede. Additionally, power supply restoration efforts are being accelerated in affected districts,” he said.
