Gujarat Faces Heavy Rainfall, 3 Dead, Nearly 20,000 Evacuated

Gujarat has been hit by exceptionally heavy rainfall, leading to the evacuation of nearly 20,000 people and the tragic loss of three lives in rain-related incidents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for 27 districts, warning of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall until August 29, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall expected. The affected districts include Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot, and several others.

In response to the severe weather conditions, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has held a virtual meeting with district collectors and senior officials to review the situation. The state government has declared a holiday for primary schools across the state on Tuesday and has mobilized the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for rescue and relief operations. Over 1,600 people have been rescued so far, and more than 17,800 have been relocated to safer areas as a precautionary measure.

The Chief Minister has assured that all necessary steps are being taken, including restoring electricity in affected areas and providing essential assistance. The situation remains critical as water levels in rivers and dams continue to rise, with thousands of people being relocated to safer locations.

Residents are urged to remain indoors and avoid venturing near water bodies. The state government is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as necessary.