Gujarat Faces Heavy Rains: CM Bhupendra Patel and Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey Lead Rescue Efforts
Gandhinagar, Gujarat – Heavy rains have caused significant flooding in Gujarat, prompting State Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey to urge the public to follow safety guidelines. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has been actively overseeing the situation from the State Emergency Operation Centre, issuing directives to district collectors and corporation commissioners.
Rescue Operations
Alok Pandey reported that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed across the state. The Army, Coast Guards, and Air Force have also been involved, conducting over 300 rescue operations. So far, around 1,700 people have been rescued, and 99 deaths have been reported during the monsoon season.
Impact of Heavy Rainfall
The heavy rains, caused by a depression from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, have led to waterlogging in various parts of Gujarat. The Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple in Vadodara was submerged, and locals reported unprecedented rainfall in the last 30 years. Water from Ajwa and Pratappura Reservoirs was released into the Vishwamitri River, exacerbating the flooding.
Rainfall Data
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), significant rainfall was recorded from August 26 to August 27. Vadodara received 28 cm, Rajkot 19 cm, Ahmedabad 12 cm, Bhuj and Naliya 8 cm each, Okha and Dwarka 7 cm each, and Porbandar 5 cm.
Government Actions
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a meeting to discuss the flood situation, emphasizing the importance of evacuating people from low-lying areas and preventing loss of life and livestock. He instructed district collectors to ensure no one crosses dangerous river channels or roads. So far, 17,827 people have been evacuated, and 1,653 people have been rescued. Thirteen NDRF teams and twenty-two SDRF teams are actively involved in rescue and relief operations.
Doubts Revealed
Gujarat -: Gujarat is a state in western India. It is known for its rich culture and history.
CM Bhupendra Patel -: CM stands for Chief Minister. Bhupendra Patel is the current Chief Minister of Gujarat, which means he is the head of the state government.
Relief Commissioner -: A Relief Commissioner is a government official responsible for managing and coordinating relief efforts during disasters like floods.
Alok Pandey -: Alok Pandey is the State Relief Commissioner of Gujarat. He is in charge of organizing help for people affected by the heavy rains.
rescue operations -: Rescue operations are efforts made to save people from dangerous situations, like floods, and bring them to safety.
Army -: The Army is a branch of the military that helps protect the country and also assists in rescue and relief efforts during disasters.
Coast Guards -: The Coast Guards are a part of the military that protects the country’s waters and helps in rescue operations at sea and during floods.
Air Force -: The Air Force is a branch of the military that uses aircraft to protect the country and assist in rescue missions from the air.
waterlogging -: Waterlogging happens when there is so much rain that the water cannot drain away, causing areas to be covered in water.
Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple -: The Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Gujarat. It got submerged due to the heavy rains.
evacuation -: Evacuation means moving people from a dangerous place to a safer one, especially during emergencies like floods.
low-lying areas -: Low-lying areas are places that are at a lower elevation and are more likely to get flooded when it rains heavily.