Gujarat: Heavy rain triggers rescue operations across Gir Somnath; over 250 evacuated

Ahmedabad, July 5 (IANS) Heavy rainfall and strong winds triggered flooding in villages and rough sea conditions along the Gir Somnath coast, prompting the district administration to carry out multiple rescue operations that safely evacuated more than 250 residents, rescued four persons trapped inside a flooded house and brought four fishermen ashore after their boat drifted into the sea.

The largest rescue operation was conducted in Gangda village, where around 250 people were evacuated after the Rupen River breached its embankment at around 1 a.m. following intense rainfall.

According to the district administration, the breach caused floodwater from the river to enter the New Plot and Untwala Road areas of the village, inundating houses and leaving around 250 people stranded.

A joint rescue operation was launched immediately by personnel from the Mamlatdar’s office, the Taluka Panchayat, the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Rescue teams shifted residents to safety at Gangda Primary School and Bapa Sitaram Ashram.

The administration said accommodation, food and sleeping arrangements were provided for around 115 evacuees, while the remaining affected residents took shelter with relatives or family members.

“All stranded residents were evacuated safely and necessary relief arrangements were made for those displaced,” officials said.

In a separate incident in Sultanpur village of Una taluka, four people trapped inside a flooded house were rescued after rainwater entered low-lying residential areas during the night.

The district administration said it received information that four persons had become stranded after water entered their home.

Personnel from the Mamlatdar’s office and the SDRF jointly carried out the rescue operation and safely evacuated all four occupants.

The rescued residents were shifted to Sultanpur Primary School, where accommodation and sleeping facilities were arranged.

The administration said the SDRF remains on alert across the district and continues to work in coordination with local authorities in view of the heavy rainfall.

Heavy rain and strong winds also affected the district’s coastline, where rough sea conditions caused several anchored vessels to break free.

According to the administration, five to six boats and two to three small fishing craft anchored in the creek area near Syed Rajpara village in Una taluka drifted into the sea after their anchors gave way under the combined impact of strong winds, heavy rainfall and the forceful river current.

Authorities learnt that one of the drifting boats had four fishermen on board, prompting the Indian Coast Guard to launch a rescue operation.

The four fishermen, identified as Kamlesh Baraiya, Narshi Bambhaniya, Ravji Shiyal and Ramji Shiyal, were rescued safely by the Coast Guard and brought ashore at Navabandar.

The district administration said all rescue operations were completed safely as emergency teams remained deployed across the affected areas in response to the ongoing spell of heavy rainfall.

–IANS

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