Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Reviews Heavy Rainfall Relief Efforts
On August 28, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a video conference from the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) in Gandhinagar to review the relief and rescue operations in response to heavy rainfall across the state.
Meeting Details
During the meeting, Patel received reports from district collectors and municipal commissioners about the relocation of people, rescue operations, availability of essential supplies, and relief kitchens. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretaries Pankaj Joshi and MK Das, along with senior officials from various departments.
Rainfall Statistics
As of 10 AM on August 27, Gujarat had received 99.66% of its seasonal rainfall. The Kutch region recorded 116.79%, North Gujarat 79.99%, Saurashtra 101.52%, South Gujarat 108.20%, and Central Gujarat 98.74%. In the past 24 hours, rainfall was recorded in 251 talukas across 33 districts, with the highest rainfall of 347 mm in Tankara taluka of Morbi district.
Overflowing Water Bodies
The Chief Minister reviewed the overflow of 15 rivers, 21 lakes, and reservoirs. He instructed district collectors to prevent people from approaching these areas and to enforce this with police assistance. The state’s reservoirs had received 72.33% of their water storage capacity, with 76 reservoirs completely filled, 96 on high alert, and 19 on alert.
Rescue Operations
Six Army units, 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were deployed for relief and rescue operations. The Navy and Coast Guard also joined the efforts. A total of 23,871 people were relocated, and 1,696 individuals were rescued. The Chief Minister urged citizens to stay indoors and follow safety guidelines.
Casualties and Assistance
Seven individuals died due to incidents like wall collapses and drowning. The Chief Minister instructed immediate assistance payments and the distribution of eligible relief to affected people. Coastal district collectors were directed to ensure no fishermen go out to sea until August 30.
Electricity and Infrastructure
Heavy rainfall disrupted electricity in 8,824 villages, but power was restored in 7,806 villages. Of the 6,615 damaged electric poles, 6,033 were repaired. The Roads and Buildings Department was instructed to restore traffic on 806 closed roads once the rain subsides.
Health Precautions
The Chief Minister directed preparations for possible epidemics due to waterlogging, including water drainage, chlorination, and mosquito control. The Health Department was instructed to ensure the availability of medicines.
Commendations and Warnings
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel commended the quick actions of district and urban administrations and emphasized a “zero casualty” approach. Chief Secretary Raj Kumar advised officials to stay alert to weather warnings and plan in advance. Officers from the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Army also attended the meeting.
Doubts Revealed
Gujarat -: Gujarat is a state in western India, known for its rich culture and history. It is famous for its vibrant festivals, food, and the Gir National Park, home to Asiatic lions.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in an Indian state. The Chief Minister is responsible for the administration and governance of the state.
Bhupendra Patel -: Bhupendra Patel is the current Chief Minister of Gujarat. He is a politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and took office in September 2021.
video conference -: A video conference is a meeting where people in different locations use video and audio to communicate with each other in real-time. It is like a virtual meeting using computers or smartphones.
relief and rescue operations -: Relief and rescue operations are efforts made to help people affected by disasters like floods, earthquakes, or heavy rainfall. These operations include providing food, shelter, medical aid, and rescuing people from dangerous situations.
seasonal rainfall -: Seasonal rainfall refers to the amount of rain that falls during a specific season, like the monsoon season in India. It is important for agriculture and water supply but can also cause floods if it is too heavy.
overflow in rivers and reservoirs -: Overflow in rivers and reservoirs happens when there is too much water, causing them to spill over their banks. This can lead to flooding in nearby areas.
Army units -: Army units are groups of soldiers from the Indian Army who are trained to help in emergencies like natural disasters. They assist in rescue and relief operations.
NDRF -: NDRF stands for National Disaster Response Force. It is a specialized force in India that handles disaster response and rescue operations during natural and man-made disasters.
SDRF -: SDRF stands for State Disaster Response Force. It is similar to the NDRF but operates at the state level to handle local disasters and emergencies.
relocated -: Relocated means moving people from a dangerous place to a safer location. In this context, it refers to moving people from flood-affected areas to safe shelters.
infrastructure restoration -: Infrastructure restoration involves repairing and rebuilding essential services like roads, bridges, electricity, and water supply systems that are damaged during disasters.
health precautions -: Health precautions are steps taken to protect people’s health, especially during emergencies. This can include measures like providing clean drinking water, vaccinations, and medical care to prevent diseases.
