New Delhi: Severe weather conditions continue to wreak havoc across India, with Gujarat being the worst affected. The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall alert for 19 states on Thursday, August 29. Gujarat has been experiencing continuous torrential rains for the past four days, resulting in 28 fatalities and the rescue of 18,000 individuals to safety.
Situation in Gujarat:
The heavy rainfall in Gujarat has led to the closure of 939 roads, including 7 national highways, 66 state highways, 92 other roads, and 774 village roads. Additionally, 238 tehsils are submerged due to flooding. In the districts of Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar, rainfall ranging from 50 mm to 200 mm has been recorded over the past 12 hours. A red alert for rainfall has been issued for Saurashtra.
Rescue Operations:
The state has deployed NDRF, SDRF, and six army teams for rescue and relief efforts. Radhika Yadav thanked NDRF personnel on social media for their help in evacuating people using boats from inundated roads.
Conditions in Other States:
- Delhi and NCR: Heavy rainfall has also hit Delhi, causing waterlogging in several areas and traffic jams.
- Madhya Pradesh: The heavy rain spell has paused, but a new weather system is expected to bring rain again starting August 30 and 31.
- Rajasthan: The monsoon has weakened in most parts of the state, but a resurgence is expected from September 2.
- Uttar Pradesh: The Ganges in Varanasi has risen, submerging over 50 ghats. A heavy rain alert is in effect for 10 districts.
- Chhattisgarh: The state is expected to see heavy rainfall over the next two days. A yellow alert has been issued for 6 districts.
- Haryana: Persistent rainfall has led to waterlogging on roads, with a foot of water in some areas. A heavy rain alert is in place for 4 districts.
- Bihar: Light rainfall has occurred recently, but no heavy rainfall is anticipated in the coming week.
Cyclone Warning:
The Meteorological Department has warned that the deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch might intensify into a cyclone in the eastern Arabian Sea. Additionally, a low-pressure area forming in the northern Bay of Bengal could also strengthen into a deep depression in the next two days.
The weather department and relief agencies are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents to stay alert and prepared.