Heavy rain caused flood like situation in central and south Gujarat on Tuesday. At least 2100 people were shifted to safer places. Most of the parts in South and Central Gujarat including major cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat experienced continuous rainfall from Monday night. Showers continued on Tuesday without halt. Speaking to the reporters in Gandhinagar, Gujarat government spokesperson minister Jaynarayan Vyas said five people were dead due to this situation.

According to Gujarat state flood control room, 33 centers of Gujarat had 4 to 14 inch rain in last 24 hours. Jambughoda in Vadodara district had highest 14.5 inch rain while Kaprada and Umargam in south Gujarat had 13 and 10 inch of rainfall respectively. 30 centers in Gujarat had 2 to 4 inch rain.

Vishwamitri river that cuts through the city of Vadodara was flowing at new 18 ft level on Tuesday morning. At around 5.00 pm level reached to 24 ft. After 11.00 pm river crossed danger mark of 26 ft. and reached to the level of 27.8 ft. Around 3,000 people from lower downstream area were shifted to safer places. Vadodara district collector ordered high alert for low lying river bank settlements along Vishvamitri and Dhadhar. Evacuation drive was also carried out by district administration in such areas. People rushed to the bridge to witness higher level of flowing water in Vishvamitri river which was almost dry and barren before three days. Water level of Dev dam over Vishwamitri river’s Dhadhar branch was 1 meter lower than the danger mark on Tuesday morning. Daily life in Vadodara’s western area was severely affected due to average 5 ft water logging. Alkapuri railway under bridge was closed due to water logging. In Chhani jakatkana area rain water had reached into the shops and houses. Water level at Ajva reservoir was at 209 ft. in the morning. Schools and Colleges were remained closed. 1 person(60) died in Tanoli village near Vadodara due to house collapse following heavy rain. Rain also affected electricity supply in at least 71 villages of Vadodara district.

Schools remained closed in low lying areas of central Gujarat’s district headquarter Anand town. Goya lake in the center of Anand town overflowed. Nadiad experienced 9 inch rainfall in 9 hours. Jambusar area’s Uber village was evacuated. Around 150 people were shifted to safer place. Villages in Khambhat-Tarapur area were alerted by administration. Umariya dam overflowed in tribal Limkheda area of central Gujarat caused flood like situation in the area.

In South Gujarat, Dudhiya lake overflowed in Pardi area. Gandevi’s Vengania river had overflowed its banks. At least 400 Gandevi area families were shifted to safer places. In Vapi, under bridge connecting east and west parts of the industrial town was closed due to water logging. Bridge connecting Daman and Moti daman was closed and holiday was declared in schools as Madhuban dam over river Damanganga overflowed. 1500 people were shifted to safer places in Bardoli and Mandvi areas of South Gujarat. People from low lying areas were shifted to safer places as Navsari’s Purna river had overflowed its banks. Kim-Mandvi road was affected due to flood like situation. In Navapura area rain water had reached into the shops. In each taluka, one class one officer was appointed to handle any eventual situation.

Railway traffic on Ahmedabad-Mumbai rail line was affected due to heavy rain. Several trains were running late on Tuesday. Saurashtra-Janata express was 3 hour late, while Saurashtra Mail was 1.5 hour late.

In Gandhinagar, high level Weather watch meeting was convened. Meeting was presided by P.Panirvel. It was observed that low pressure system was shifting towards coastal areas of Gujarat. Fishermen were instructed not to venture to the sea. 3 number signal was declared at most of the ports in Saurashtra.

Khari river in Gandhinagar district overflowed it’s bank. 25 families of Raypur were shifted to safer places. In north Gujarat, Tharad experienced heavy rain. Whole Banaskatha district had moderate to heavy rain.

24 reservoirs across Gujarat are now above 90% full of their capacity. High alert is observed at such sites.

At 11.00 A.M. on Tuesday, water level in Ukai dam was 94.60 meter(danger mark 105.15 meter), Narmada dam 119.10 meter(danger mark 121 meter) and Damanganga dam 69.86(danger mark at 71.00). Each hour 1,43000 cusec water income was observed at Ukai dam. At 13.00 Ukai’s water level was at 310 ft(danger mark at 345). Click Here(PDF) for rainfall figures as on 12th of August, 2008.

Videos(Hindi) of Vadodara’s flood like situation