Vadodara: The city traffic police of Vadodara, following orders from the city administration, have shut down traffic on the Kala Ghoda Bridge located over the Vishwamitri River, which passes through the middle of the city. The police were instructed to close both bridges once the water level crossed the 28-foot mark. The water level of the Vishwamitri River is rising rapidly; it crossed the danger mark of 26 feet at the Kala Ghoda Bridge around 4 pm, and within three hours, the water level had surpassed 28 feet, reaching 28.7 feet by 7 pm.

Additionally, the Ajwa Sarovar in the city also crossed its danger level of 214 feet this afternoon.

Given the current pace at which the water level in the Vishwamitri River is rising, it is likely to cross 30 feet, at which point the district administration is expected to close all bridges over the river to traffic.

Historically, heavy waterlogging occurs in the low-lying areas of the city when the water level is between 27 and 29 feet. However, if the Vishwamitri crosses 30 feet, flood situations affect many parts of the city. At around the 34-foot level, which was witnessed a few years ago, many areas of Vadodara would be flooded.

Vadodara has witnessed over 9 inches of rain since 6 am this morning, and a further red alert for the likelihood of extremely heavy rains during the next 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Tuesday has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The district collector has also announced a holiday for all schools on Tuesday. DeshGujarat