 "Deep depression crosses over Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh")
After heavy rains on Wednesday that caused a near flood-like situation across districts like Amreli, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Gir-Somnath, the deep depression that had formed over the Arabian Sea has moved towards south western Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. Death toll in Wednesday's rains is estimated to be over 45, according to official sources.
The state got a respite from heavy rains on Thursday, and the water logging has started to clear out in most places. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who took an aerial survey of the rain affected areas, held a meeting with senior government officials in Amreli district today. Amreli district collector HR Suthar told Business Standard, "We have discussed the details of the rescue operations with the CM and have also informed her regarding our requirements. She has agreed to provide all kind of help to tackle the situation."
At present, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Air Force teams are engaged in rescue and relief operations across the affected districts. Patel has directed the concerned authorities to deploy more manpower in Amreli. The state government, however, has so far not declared any special package for Amreli or Saurashtra region which is facing flood like situation, according to Suthar.
On Wednesday, the state witnessed one of the most furious onset of monsoons, leaving thousands of people across districts stranded after the heavy rains triggered flash floods in rivers in Amreli, Rajkot, Gir-Somnath and Rajkot regions. Ahmedabad received around 8 inch rainfall leading to severe waterlogging in many parts of the city, prompting the district collector to issue a directive to all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools in the city and rural areas to remain closed on Thursday.
The state government, however, has not declared a flood. State health minister and spokesperson of government of Gujarat government Nitin Patel said, "Floods have not been declared as the rains have stopped and the water is already receding."
Jayanta Sarkar, director at State Meteorological Department informed that the deep depression over Arabian Sea has crossed Gujarat and has moved towards South Western Madhya Pradesh. "In between June 1 and June 25, Gujarat has received 21 per cent of the season's rains. As for tomorrow, the forecast is light to moderate rains," Sarkar said.
Meanwhile, heavy rains have got the farmers in the state worried. The rains have caused huge damage to ongoing sowing, especially for groundnut and cotton. According to state agriculture department official, water logging in many areas like Gondal, Dhari, Bagasara, Amareli Una and Rajkot of Saurashtra may damage groundnut and cotton crops seeds.
So far, sowing has been done on 1.34 million hectares in Gujarat, and out of it one million hectares area lies in Saurashtra region. The agriculture department is in the process of collecting details of damages.
As for the ports in the region, according to a Gujarat Maritime Board official, lighterage ports like Magdalla do not work during this season, while all weather ports like Porbandar and Okha are operational. A senior official at Kandla Port Trust too informed that the weather was sunny, and the port was operational.
Gujarat Pipavav Port, however, had suspended port operations at Pipavav on Wednesday due to the prevailing weather conditions and break down of power supply and communication that occurred on Tuesday night.
The state got a respite from heavy rains on Thursday, and the water logging has started to clear out in most places. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who took an aerial survey of the rain affected areas, held a meeting with senior government officials in Amreli district today. Amreli district collector HR Suthar told Business Standard, "We have discussed the details of the rescue operations with the CM and have also informed her regarding our requirements. She has agreed to provide all kind of help to tackle the situation."
At present, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Air Force teams are engaged in rescue and relief operations across the affected districts. Patel has directed the concerned authorities to deploy more manpower in Amreli. The state government, however, has so far not declared any special package for Amreli or Saurashtra region which is facing flood like situation, according to Suthar.
On Wednesday, the state witnessed one of the most furious onset of monsoons, leaving thousands of people across districts stranded after the heavy rains triggered flash floods in rivers in Amreli, Rajkot, Gir-Somnath and Rajkot regions. Ahmedabad received around 8 inch rainfall leading to severe waterlogging in many parts of the city, prompting the district collector to issue a directive to all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools in the city and rural areas to remain closed on Thursday.
The state government, however, has not declared a flood. State health minister and spokesperson of government of Gujarat government Nitin Patel said, "Floods have not been declared as the rains have stopped and the water is already receding."
Jayanta Sarkar, director at State Meteorological Department informed that the deep depression over Arabian Sea has crossed Gujarat and has moved towards South Western Madhya Pradesh. "In between June 1 and June 25, Gujarat has received 21 per cent of the season's rains. As for tomorrow, the forecast is light to moderate rains," Sarkar said.
Meanwhile, heavy rains have got the farmers in the state worried. The rains have caused huge damage to ongoing sowing, especially for groundnut and cotton. According to state agriculture department official, water logging in many areas like Gondal, Dhari, Bagasara, Amareli Una and Rajkot of Saurashtra may damage groundnut and cotton crops seeds.
So far, sowing has been done on 1.34 million hectares in Gujarat, and out of it one million hectares area lies in Saurashtra region. The agriculture department is in the process of collecting details of damages.
As for the ports in the region, according to a Gujarat Maritime Board official, lighterage ports like Magdalla do not work during this season, while all weather ports like Porbandar and Okha are operational. A senior official at Kandla Port Trust too informed that the weather was sunny, and the port was operational.
Gujarat Pipavav Port, however, had suspended port operations at Pipavav on Wednesday due to the prevailing weather conditions and break down of power supply and communication that occurred on Tuesday night.