Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 17 (ANI): Eighteen people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Gujarat as incessant rainfall continues to batter the state, prompting widespread deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams in all districts, an official said on Tuesday.
State Emergency Commissioner Alok Pandey, addressing the media, stated, “The Chief Minister held a meeting regarding the incessant rains in the state over the last two days. He personally spoke with District Magistrates from 25 districts and directed them to take all necessary measures to minimize the loss of life and property.”
Pandey added that the districts of Botad, Amreli, Surendranagar, and Bhavnagar were among the worst affected by the downpour. “The total loss of human lives reported is 18. District collectors will be granted funds to facilitate postmortem procedures and other necessary formalities,” he said.
In Botad district, the gates of the Khambhada Dam were opened on Tuesday following a sharp rise in water levels due to relentless rainfall, worsening waterlogging throughout the region. The heavy rains forced the closure of Gadgda Road near Botad Circle and caused severe flooding in both urban and rural areas of Gadhada, where extensive rescue operations are underway. Authorities are working to relocate affected residents and their livestock to safer locations.
Amreli district is also grappling with severe flooding, forming part of a larger weather crisis unfolding across the state.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Gujarat, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall — exceeding 20 cm — over the next 24 hours. (ANI)
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