Vadodara: With nearly 12 inches of rainfall on Monday and the water level of the Vishwamitri River flowing at 35 feet, well above the danger level of 26 feet, Vadodara city is experiencing severe waterlogging and flooding in many areas.

Residential areas from east to west are submerged, with residents navigating through knee-deep water. The Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple complex was flooded due to the heavy rainfall, leading to its closure on Tuesday. Despite the situation, some devotees performed their prayers and aarti outside the temple.

The entire ground floor of Siddharth Bungalow on Sama Savli Road is submerged, causing distress among residents. People have moved their belongings to the first floor, but if the water rises further, it will cause more trouble. The road from Kalaghoda Bridge to Sayaji Hospital is also submerged, as is Kalaghoda Bridge to Jail Road. Traveling to the outskirts has become difficult due to these flooded roads.

Traffic on the state highway from Vadodara has been affected due to rainwater inundation near Thunvavi village. To reach Dabhoi, one has to take the Karjan-Kayavarohan route.

Although the rain has paused today in Vadodara, water continues to be released from the upstream Ajwa Dam into the Vishwamitri River, keeping the river level at 35 feet. Residents living along the riverbanks are facing severe flood conditions. So far, around 3,000 people have been relocated within the city.

Vishwamitri water has reached from Sama Urmi Bridge to Amit Nagar Circle, Mangal Pandey Road, Sama Gam, Sayajiganj area, Karelibaug, Avad Sar, and Fatehganj, all of which were waterlogged on Tuesday morning. Sayaji Garden, where the city municipal corporation is located, is witnessing waist-deep water. With heavy waterlogging in the area, no movement has been seen from Kalaghoda Circle to Sayajiganj.

The Samrajya area near Akota has seen knee-deep water, and Vadodara Railway Station has also experienced waterlogging. The railway track near the station is completely underwater. Vemali village in the Sama area is submerged, with water nearing the first floor, forcing people to take shelter on upper floors or roofs.

Outside the SSG Hospital, there is waist-deep water, causing difficulties for those trying to reach the hospital. SSG Hospital Superintendent Dr. Ranjan Iyer said that floodwaters from Kalaghoda Bridge have entered the post-mortem room, Rukmani Chenna Maternity Hospital, and the medical stores at the hospital. With the possibility of more water entering the ground floor of the maternity ward. About 50 patients are being shifted to the first floor. Additionally, 40% of the hospital staff are unable to reach the hospital, causing problems.

Vadodara Waghodia Road is also experiencing heavy waterlogging, with water breaching the MGVCL Khatamba substation and knee-deep water inside the MGVCL office.

Many societies in the eastern part of the city, including Vrindavan Char Rasta, Khodiyar Nagar Char Rasta, Amit Nagar Circle, Sardar Estate, Harani, and Soma Traf, are underwater. Roads across the city remain flooded. Barricades related to bridge work near Khodiyar Nagar and Sardar Estate were seen floating, forcing some motorists to abandon their bikes on the dividers and walk home when the water level rose above their silencers. In some areas, two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other vehicles were left abandoned on the roads as people walked home after their vehicles stopped due to the water.

Sukhdham Society in the eastern part of the city remains flooded, as does the airport area, where residents are seen clearing mud from their houses. The Sardar Estates Char Rasta is also flooded, with barricades placed for bridge work floating in the water. Roads in Khodiyar Nagar are broken, with barricades displaced.

The situation is similar in Sandeep Nagar, where vehicles remain stuck on the roads. Sewage water is also overflowing on the VIP road near the airport circle, with knee-deep water in some areas.

Due to the flood situation, people rushed to buy milk and vegetables early in the morning. The city’s vegetable markets, which usually open in the evening, opened early today to meet the demand.

Trader Sanjaybhai Gandhi said, “I am in the vegetable business. I was heading from Sevasi to Gotri and then to Khanderao Market to buy vegetables. However, the road from Jetalpur Bridge to Jail Road is flooded again. My bike got stuck in the water, and even after an hour, I still couldn’t reach Khanderao Market. I urge people to avoid this road, as it will be very troublesome.” DeshGujarat