Heavy downpour across Gujarat has caused a flood-like situation in Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions of the state after which authorities put the army an alert even as the death toll in rain-related incidents rose to 14.The Army has been put on alert in several parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, as the state administration evacuated over 6,000 persons from low-lying areas across the state.The worst affected districts are Bharuch, Narmada and Surat districts of South Gujarat and those in Saurashtra region are Bhavnagar and Surendranagar districts.All these districts received over 400 mm rains since yesterday, official sources said.Till now 14 persons have died in rain-related incidents. Nine of them died in Vadodara district alone while four persons died in a wall collapse in Bharuch district. A police constable was swept away in flood waters in Botad town of Bhavnagar district.The state government has set up a emergency response centre at Gandhinagar to oversee relief and rescue work. It has also deputed different ministers to visit affected districts and oversee rescue operations.In Saurashtra region, Junagadh district was badly hit by the continous downpour. About 700 school children who were stranded in Alfa school due to flooding have been rescued.Twenty two children of a Swaminarayan school, who were trapped in a bus marooned by flood waters in Jasapar village of Jamnagar district were also rescued.
