Ahmedabad: Rains have stopped in Gujarat as of now, but the respite will be short lived. This is so because the state is expected to get another round of rains, starting Sunday. According to reports the official death toll from the rains has touched 45. These figures are for up till August 29.
Depression formed in Bay of Bengal travelling to Gujarat, Maharashtra: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest weather prediction said that a depression formed in the Bay of Bengal is travelling towards Gujarat and Maharashtra. This depression is likely to cause heavy to very heavy rainfall in Saurashtra, central Gujarat and south Gujarat regions till September 5, said the weather department.
For September 1, the IMD said that the Cyclonic Storm over northwest and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea moved west-southwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph during the past 6 hours. It lay centered at 5:30 am on September 1, 2024 over northwest Arabian Sea near latitude 23.2 degrees North and longitude 62.6 degrees East. This would be 640 kilometres west of Naliya in Gujarat.
19 dead in 5 days in 23 districts of Gujarat
Reports said that at least 7 people were killed in rain-related incidents in Jamnagar, while Ahmedabad and Ananad reported 6 deaths each during this same period. Three people died in Vadodara, Kheda, Mahisagar, Surendranagar and Kutch districts according to a report in the Times of India. Other cities/towns in the state, including Gandhinagar, Bharuch, Dahod and Chhota Udepur reported 2 deaths each. 1 death each took place in Morbi, Dang, Aravalli, Panchmahal and Devbhoomi Dwarka.
This death toll however does not include the 7 bodies recovered from Vadodara, 7 people who drowned in Morbi and 2 deaths in Vadodara due to electrocution. Till Saturday Gujarat had received 111 per cent of the seasonal rains.
24 crocodiles rescued from Vadodara
Amidst heavy rains in Vadodara, at least 24 crocodiles were rescued from different areas of the city, by the forest department. The animals entered the city after the water level in the Vishwamitri river rose considerably.
The river is home to at least 400 crocodiles, which came into the city after the water levels rose. The water level in the river rose after water was released from the Ajwa dam. Apartr from the crocodiles, the department also rescued, other animals including snakes, cobras, turtles and a porcupine.
Fortunately no incident of crocodile-human conflict was recorded in the city, said the officials. The reptiles will soon be released back into the river soon.