Flood alert in Gujarat; 15,000 evacuted

At least 30 people have been killed following heavy rains in the state. The Army has been put on stand by.

More than 15,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas in Gujarat, where five rivers were flowing above the danger mark following heavy rains for the last four days, while the toll due to rains in the state mounted to 30, sources said on Wednesday.

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The district authorities have issued flood alert in Navsari, Valsad, Surat and Dang districts and several people in flood-prone areas have been evacuated while the Army has been put on stand by.

The rivers, which are flowing above the danger mark are Auranga, Wanki, Ambika, Kaveri and Kharera river in Valsad district of Gujarat.

The Water Resource Minister Narottam Patel, who is camping in Valsad to take stock of the situation, said that the flood situation in the state was serious.

However, the government has geared its machinery to meet any eventuality and has pressed Disaster Management Team into service.

He said he was holding a high-level meeting to tackle the flood situation in different parts of the state.

The highest rainfall has occurred in Dharampur town in Valsad district.