Vadodara, 25/26 September 2013

Update in the morning

Update at 12.00 noon

The Standing Committee Chairman of Vadodara just briefed us that Vishwamitri river level is at 29.6. Meanwhile the shower is on halt for now, and people of Vadodara wish that it should continue to halt. According to district collector, 4,000 people were shifted to safer places by today evening in Vadodara city only. In another development, there was minor clash between police and the people who arrived at Kala Ghoda for flood tourism. It is believed that Kala ghoda bridge was closed for people following increased number of visitors who were excited to take photographs through mobile. If there’s any rise in water level, the areas to watch out are Kalyan nagar, Parshuram Bhaththa, Indira nagar among others.

Update at 6.00 pm

Speaking to DeshGujarat at around 6.00 pm, Mayor of Vadodara Shri Bharat Shah said, water level of Vishwamitri is steady as of now(at 28.9 ft level). If there’s heavy rainfall and the level goes further up beyond one ft, then Kala Ghoda and Bhimnath bridges will be closed for traffic, however there are two new over bridges nearby and therefore such action will not cause any serious trouble to movements. People don’t need to fear as situation is in control.

Update at 5.30 pm

All schools and colleges will remain closed in Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts on Thursday too. District Collector has asked to rescheduled the exams. All city buses of VITCOS are asked to stop their services.

Update at 5.00 pm

Speaking to DeshGujarat at around 4.30 pm today, Standing Committee Chairman of Vadodara Municipal Corporation Dr.Hitendrabhai Patel said, size and location(intensity, duration and spatial distribution) of rainfall will decide the next course of events in Vadodara. He said one should avoid going out if not necessary. He said only Mangal Pandey bridge has been closed for traffic, and all other bridges are open for traffic at this time. He shared latest figures: Latest level 28.6.Steady for last 3 hours.Aajwa 213.25 down from 213.40(3-hour ago):Standing Committee Chairman, VMC to DeshGujarat

Update at around noon:

Water level in Vishwamitri is rising in Vadodara. At around 11.00 am DeshGujarat spoke to Chief Fire Officer. He said two bridges namely Kalaghoda bridge and Mangal Pandey bridge are closed for traffic at 28.6 ft level of water in Vishwamitri river. He said water level was rising, and other bridges could be closed if needed eventually. He said all bridges will be needed to be closed at 30+ level.

The city of Vadodara is on flood alert today due to Vishwamitri river’s increased level.

At 7.00 am on Wednesday, Vishwamitri’s level was 27.6 ft against road level of 28 ft.

100s of families living in low lying areas of Vadodara are already affected due to flood water of river Vishwamitri. The river can affect extreme low lying areas even at 22 ft level. At 24 ft level functioning of Kalaghoda bridge is affected. At 26 ft level some more areas are affected. More than 3,000 people in low lying areas are shifted to safer places on Tuesday. The river water could be seen on the roads 28 ft level is crossed.

Vishwamitri passes through the middle of Vadodara city. Its level goes up when extra water is released from Aajva and Pratappura reservoirs.

Water level at Aajva touched 214 mark which created serious situation yesterday. At 7.00 am today, the level was down to 213.40 ft, thanks to extra water release.

Vishwamitri river has good number of crocodiles. Local people apprehend that dozens of crocodiles may come to roads and houses with flood water.

Beyond Vadodara, water of Vishwamitri river mix with Dhadhar river. Carriage capacity of Dhadhar river depends on situation at Dev dam. In case of huge water release from Dev dam, Dhadhar river fails to take extra water of Vishwamitri.

-Gotri, Sama,Vadsar, Varasiya, Gorva, Lakshmipura, Tarsali, Mahadev talav and other reservoirs were either full of their capacity or overflowing. Gotri waters affected Ramdevnagar, Sama waters affected Navinagri. Three main water passages connected to Vishwamitri river namely Masiya, Ruparel and Bhukhi are full of their capacity.

-Subhanpura high tension road, Lisa park cross roads, Gorva, Tandalja, Vasna, Subhanpura, Ilora park, Alkapuri, Panchvati, Sahyog, Gorva bapu dargah, Karolia road, Bajva, Kalali, Atladra, Akota, Mujmahuda, Divalipura experienced water logging. Alkapuri, Dinesh mill, old central depo railway under bridges witnessed water logging.

-Public holiday has been declared in all district schools, MS University, Parul institute, Babaria institute, Sigma institute, ITM and other colleges.