Incessant rains have played havoc in the Kutch region, displacing around 3,000 people. Nearly 70 boats and 450 fishermen are said to be missing in the stormy sea, sources said.
The Coast Guard has launched a search operation in the Arabian Sea near Porbandar and Veraval to locate these fishermen. According to sources, while nearly 307 towns in the region are facing power failure since last night, road traffic in Kutch and Porbandar-Somnath has also been severely hit following the overnight rains, worsening the situation.
A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been sent to Kutch, while a nine-member team from Rajkot Fire Brigade has also reached to help the district authorities in the ongoing rescue operation. Food packets are being distributed to the evacuated people, sources said.
Despite the rescue-operation, many low-lying areas here including Ashapur Nagar, Bhanushali Nagar, Sanskar Nagar are still submerged in waist-deep water. Officials, however, expressed confidence that by evening, residents of these areas would be able to return to their homes.