Gandhinagar:

The Indian Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a warning that the cyclone “Asna,” a deep depression over the Arabian Sea, causing heavy rains in Gujarat, is likely to move West-Northwest over the Northeast Arabian sea and away from the Indian Coast during the next 24 hours.

Additionally, the IMD stated that the deep depression has been moving at a speed of 14 km per hour with a latitude of 23.6° N and a longitude of 66.4°E, 250 km West of Naliya in Gujarat, 160 km South-South West of Karachi in Pakistan, and 350 km East- Southeast of Pasni in Pakistan.

Earlier on Friday, IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav said that Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar would receive light to moderate rains.

The regions of Kachchh received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, with the state receiving 882 mm of rainfall since June 1, according to the IMD scientist.

“Kachchh has received very heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours…Gujarat has received 882 mm of rainfall since June 1, which is 50% more than normal…Saurashtra and Kachchh regions have also recorded more than normal rainfall…Light to moderate rains are expected for Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar today.”, Yadav said in a statement.

On Thursday a heavy rainfall warning was issued for the areas of Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Swarka and Kutch districts.

Amid floods in Gujarat following incessant rainfall, the road connecting Padana Patiya to Changa Patiya in Jamnagar has been closed for the movement of traffic.

A portion of a small bridge over Sir PN Road has also been washed away due to flooding affecting the movement of commuters.

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

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.)

A huge crocodile was today rescued from the campus of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara, which apparently left the safe confines of the nearby Vishwamitri river and was aided by flooded streets.

An official said that the 11-foot mugger crocodile – the species found in Vadodara – was spotted near the Zoology Department of the university. 

#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

“We 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,” an official told the news agency ANI.

The river, 17 kilometres of which pass through Vadodara, is reportedly home to some 300 crocodiles.

Earlier last month, as many as 21 crocodiles were rescued in Vadodara. In June, four such reptiles were rescued and released back into the river.

Flood-Like Situation In Vadodara 

Vadodara is currently reeling under a flood-like situation due to overflowing rivers after heavy rain. It has been the worst-hit city in Gujarat due to a recent downpour. 

The water level of Vishwamitri river, however, has come down from 37 feet to 32 feet this morning but several low-lying areas in the city remain inundated.

The river had crossed the danger mark of 25 feet on Tuesday morning following heavy rain and the release of water from Ajwa dam.

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

Ahmedabad:

Several hundred people were shifted to safety in Valsad and Navsari districts as heavy rains lashed south Gujarat on Saturday and Sunday, officials said.

Incessant rains in the past 48 hours have inundated low-lying areas, disrupting normal life and traffic movement, they added.

As per data from the State Emergency Operation Centre, Vapi taluka in Valsad district received 326 millimetres rainfall in a 24-hour period till 6 am on Sunday, the highest in the state, while Khergam in Navsari got 248 mm since 6 am.

Districts like Surat, Tapi and Narmada have also been severely affected due to heavy rains, official said.

More than 600 persons living in low-lying areas in Valsad were relocated to safety due to heavy rains, they added.

“A total of 17 persons were shifted in Bilimora city after flooding in low-lying areas. The administration is also keeping a close watch on rising water levels of Purna and Kaveri rivers,” said AM Gamit, Executive Magistrate (Disaster), Navsari.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel spoke to collectors and asked them to take all steps to give relief to people, including timely evacuation, as well as ensure safety of livestock.

The CM said the State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF and NDRF) teams were deployed and available for required assistance.

Amid rainfall in catchment areas, the water level of Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam rose sharply and stood at 135.30 metres on Sunday, just a few metres below its full-reservoir capacity of 138.68 metres, officials said.

As per SSNNL officials, the dam reservoir was receiving 2,65,748 cusecs water from upstream, and 15 radial gates of the dam were opened for discharge.

“While 1,75,000 cusecs water was flowing out through the gates, 36,975 cusecs water was being released into the river from the riverbed powerhouse and 23,081 cusecs from canal head powerhouse,” an SSNNL official said.

The state’s 206 reservoirs had 3.64 lakh million cubic feet of water as on Sunday, which is 65 percent of their total storage capacity, officials said.

Out of these 206 reservoirs, 72 were put on high alert, and 15 on alert due to sharp rise in their water level, they added.

The state has received 81.81 per cent of average annual rainfall so far this season, with south Gujarat receiving 97.52 per cent, Kutch 90.18 per cent and Saurashtra 84.92 per cent.

As per SEOC data, Gujarat’s north and east central regions have received low rainfall compared to the southern part and Saurashtra-Kutch.

North Gujarat has so far received 64.91 per cent of average annual rainfall, while east-central Gujarat has received 68.84 per cent, the SEOC data showed.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast of ‘heavy to very heavy’ rain at a few places with isolated ‘extremely heavy’ rain in south Gujarat districts, including Vadodara, Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, and in Amreli and Bhavnagar in Saurashtra region till Tuesday morning.

The IMD also forecast ‘heavy to very heavy’ rain with isolated ‘extremely heavy’ rain in Anand, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Dwarka and Kutch districts on Tuesday.

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