Rain lashes Gujarat, over 3,000 people evacuated

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Gujarat on July 20 had been cancelled following heavy rains in the coastal Saurashtra and southern Gujarat. The Prime Minister was scheduled to inaugurate several projects in Valsad, Junagadh and Gandhinagar but all events had been cancelled. “Prime Minister Modi’s Gujarat visit scheduled on July 20 stands cancelled in view of prevailing situation and bad weather,” a State government official said. More than 3,000 people were shiftedand around 500 stranded in water-logged places even as heavy rains continued in coastal Saurashtra and southern Gujarat The State authorities had deployed 20 teams of National Disaster Response Force in flood hit areas, particularly in Junagadh, Somnath and Amreli, where more than 50 villages were completely cut off and marooned due to incessant rains for last several days. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani accompanied by top officials, including Chief Secretary J.N. Singh, conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas. Earlier, the government chopper flying CM and bureaucrats could not land owing to bad weather and continuing downpours. “Chief Minister conducted aerial survey and instructed officials and district administrations to ensure safety of all citizens. As of now 20 teams of NDRF have been deployed and even air force has been intimated in case situation worsens,” a government release stated. The government had also cancelled the weekly cabinet meeting to be held on Wednesday as Chief Minister, senior Ministers and top bureaucrats were camping in flood-hit areas to monitor rescue works. According to the State control room, more than 100 rural and districts roads were closed for traffic due to water logging. Source: The Hindu