Vadodara:

As floodwaters begin to recede in Vadodara, a 30-year-old man was killed in Gujarat’s Dabhoi after a crocodile dragged him into the Orsang River.

An official said that the victim – Amit Poonambhai Vasava – was a labourer from Rajpura.

“Amit was attempting to set a fishing net when the crocodile attacked him and dragged him to the river,” the official said.

He added that despite efforts to escape, Amit slipped and the crocodile dragged him into the water.

Vadodara is known for its significant crocodile population – especially in the Vishwamitri River – which flows through the city.

The crocodile population of Vadodara is comprised mainly of the mugger crocodile, also known as the marsh crocodile (Crocodylus Palustris). These crocodiles have adapted to urban environments and can often be seen basking along the riverbanks or even within the city limits.

Meanwhile, at least 28 people have lost their lives due to floods.

Minister Rushikesh Patel said that over 5,000 people have been evacuated in Vadodara while 1,200 were rescued from the floods in the city.

On August 29, MLAs and corporators in Vadodara also faced the wrath of residents after they visited flood-affected areas.

“Many citizens expressed disappointment, accusing their representatives of failing to provide adequate support during the crisis. Some corporators ignored calls for help and their phones were switched off in some areas further exacerbating the public’s discontent,” a local said.

MLA Manisha Vakil had to leave the Harni area after people were outraged by his presence. Similarly, BJP corporator Bandish Shah from Ward No. 7 faced severe criticism from residents in the Salatwada area. The public was angry with the Raopura MLA Balu Shukla and city BJP president Vijay Shah, who were confronted by angry people during their visits to the affected areas.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Not just floods, Vadodara is also fighting crocodiles that have entered residential areas after the Vishwamitri river, which flows through the city, swelled following heavy rain in Gujarat. Several crocodiles, measuring 10 to 15 feet, have been spotted on the roads, parks, outside residences, and on the premises of a university after a swollen Vishwamitri river flooded several areas of the city.

One of the reptiles was even spotted on the roof of a house inundated due to rainfall.

A crocodile was spotted on the roof of a house in Gujarat’s #Vadodara as the state continues to reel from floods after extremely heavy rainfall.

The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. pic.twitter.com/YiQar38EXE

— Our Vadodara (@ourvadodara) August 29, 2024

#WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: Forest Department rescues the crocodile seen on the campus of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda pic.twitter.com/joBQjJfAHW

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024

An official on Thursday said they have rescued 10 crocodiles in the last five days.

“Two have been released and eight are still with us. We will release them when the water level of the river decreases,” he told the news agency ANI.

The Vishwamitri River, which has been overflowing and has flooded the city, is reportedly home to some 300 mugger crocodiles.

Its water level, however, has come down from its peak level of 37 feet – 12 feet above the danger mark – to 24 feet this morning.

This, however, is a common occurrence for those living in areas along the river’s banks as every monsoon season, crocodiles leave the safe confines of the river and enter residential areas of the city aided by flooded streets.

“While rescue of crocodiles from residential areas near the bank of Vishwamitri river continues throughout the year, the number rises significantly during monsoon,” the PTI news agency quoted Range Forest Officer (RFO) Karansinh Rajput as saying.

In June, four crocodiles were rescued and released back into the river, he said, adding the number rose sharply to 21 in July.

Gujarat Floods

Rain-related incidents have claimed at least 26 lives in Gujarat over the past five days. In a release, the State Emergency Operations Centre said as many as 1,785 people were rescued on Thursday while 13,183 people were shifted to safer places due to rainfall and waterlogging.

More than 50,000 people have so far been relocated and around 4,200 people rescued from flood-affected areas in the state so far, the statement said. In some cases, helicopters were used by the security forces to take people to safer locations.

Teams of the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), its state counterpart SDRF, and local administration are engaged in relief and rescue operations in the worst-affected districts of Vadodara, Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Kutch.

(With agency inputs)

Gandhinagar (Gujarat):

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel arrived at the Gandhinagar State Emergency Operation Center on Thursday after travelling from Vadodara, following the forecast of heavy rains and potential storms.

Upon his arrival, the Chief Minister reviewed the system’s preparedness for the natural calamity via a video conference with the District Collector.

The Chief Minister also issued immediate instructions to evacuate areas as necessary to safeguard residents from the impending calamity.

Chief Secretary Rajkumar and other senior secretaries were also present during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated that the Chief Minister had met with the people of Vadodara, inspected the city, and held meetings with elected representatives and administrative departments, leading to important decisions.

“The Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, met with the people of Vadodara, inspected the city, and conducted meetings with elected representatives and administrative departments, where crucial decisions were made,” Mr Sanghavi said.

Furthermore, Mr Sanghavi added that the Chief Minister had approved the Vishwamitra River Revival and Redevelopment Project for Vadodara.

“The Chief Minister approved the Vishwamitra River Revival and Redevelopment Project for Vadodara, which will cost Rs 1,200 crore. A committee has been formed for the project’s execution. He also called upon 3,500 to 4,000 workers to come to Vadodara and clean the areas where the water has receded,” Mr Sanghavi stated.

Mr Sanghavi further mentioned that the Chief Minister had ensured the restoration of electricity and ordered a survey of the losses so the government could finalise a relief package.

“The Chief Minister instructed that electricity be restored and a survey of the damage conducted. The report should be submitted as soon as possible so that the government can finalise a relief package. The state government has begun work on these tasks under the Chief Minister’s directives,” Mr Sanghavi added.

Earlier today, the Indian Air Force (IAF) commenced relief operations for the flood-hit cities in Gujarat.

Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief were deployed, with transport aircraft delivering relief materials to the nearest airfields and helicopters–Chetaks and Cheetahs–positioned for operations.

MI-17 helicopters air-dropped life-saving essentials to stranded residents in Jamnagar and Vadodara.

Eighteen people have been airlifted by the IAF over the past three days, and 3,500 essential supply packs have been air-dropped.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Devbhumi Dwarka district to review the relief efforts following the heavy rainfall.

Khambhaliya recorded the highest rainfall in the state over the past five days: 944 mm.

In Khambhaliya, the Chief Minister gathered first-hand information about the rainfall’s impact and guided the ongoing relief operations, supported by the NDRF, SDRF, Army, and Coast Guard.

He visited the affected areas of Ramnagar and Kanzar Checkpost, inquired about the well-being of residents, and reviewed the arrangements for those affected.

Additionally, a review meeting was held at the Dwarka Collector’s office with Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, where the Chief Minister received detailed updates on the damages, evacuations, and rescue operations in the district.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Gujarat, ravaged by rain and flood, has no hope of respite anytime soon, with the met department predicting more showers. The Met office has sent out an alert for very heavy rainfall till August 30.

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