Rain wreaking havoc in Gujarat, 11.40% rain in just 24 hours, at least 12 dead in related incidents

Gandhinagar:At least 12 people have died in rain related incidents in Gujarat, where rain has wreaked havoc causing flooding of rivers, overflowing of dams and disruption of normal life while this western state has seen its highest rainfall of a day this season during last 24 hours when 11.40% of rain has poured.

All the 251 talukas of all 33 districts in the state have seen rain with Barwala in Botad seeing highest 380mm.

The average seasonal rain percentage has reached 77.80% at 6 am this morning while it was just 66.40% at the same time yesterday.

Met has predicted more spells of heavy rain in the next 48 hours even as from 6 to 10 am today 177 talukas of 32 districts have seen rain with Kalavad in Jamnagar district seeing maximum 162 mm, Lodhika in Rajkot has seen 140 mm, Dhrangadhra in Surendranagar 108 mm and Tankara in Morbi 94 mm. 24 talukas have seen more than 50 mm of rain. With this it is expected that the rain percentage today would even cross 80% mark.

During last 24 hours ending 6 am today, the other prominent rain receiver talukas were Mahudha in Kheda 340mm, Dhandhuka in Ahmedabad district 322mm, Kadi in Mahesana 301mm, Gadhda in Botad 287mm, Botad 287 mm, Ranpur 263mm.

A total of 16 talukas have seen 200mm or more rain, and 97 talukas have seen 100 mm or more rain. Ahmedabad city has seen 133 mm. Two of the under passes in the city Parimal and Akhbarnagar underpass were closed for some time due to water logging.

Various dams and rivers have surged due to heavy rain. The water level in all important Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam was also around 131 meters despite opening of the sluice gates. Kali-2, Ajwa, Motisaar and other dam have overflown. Rivers like Dhadhar, Karad etc were flooded. Alert have been sounded in rivers in low lying banking areas.

Rescue operations in various flooded/water logged areas across the state were on. At least eight people died in two incidents of wall/building collapse in Ahmedabad and Nadiad during rain. Three people were reportedly washed away in Bawadi village while they were trying to cross a flooded river in a tractor. Attempts were on to air lift five others trapped there. A youth was also washed away in main Narmada canal in Tharad area of Banaskantha district in North Gujarat.

Locals had rescued at least 30 students from a private school bus which got trapped in a rain flooded railway underpass in Jhanjharda road in Junagadh district.
Several roads including Dabhoi Vadodara road have been closed due to water longing. Rail services in the central Gujarat region have also been affected due to rain and water logging.

DeshGujarat