26 dead as rains wreck havoc in Gujarat

At least 26 people lost their lives as flood-like situation continued in various parts of Odisha and Gujarat, where Army and NDRF teams were called for relief operations, and some districts of Rajasthan also stared at a similar crisis.
Flood-like situation prevailed in parts of Gujarat due to incessant rains, with Banaskantha in the north emerging as the worst-affected district.

Army as well as NDRF teams and IAF helicopters were roped in for relief and rescue operations in the state, where at least 22 people have died in rain-related incidents.

Nearly 300 NDRF personnel and three helicopters have been deployed for rescue and relief operations in Gujarat where incessant rains have claimed 22 lives.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel to assess the flood situation in the state.

Heavy downpour since the last two days, triggered by deep depression over north Gujarat and Kutch regions, has thrown life out of gear.

Torrential rains have caused flood-like situation in Banaskantha, where 2,500 people have been evacuated to safer places.

“A team of Army from Dhranghdhra base in Surendranagar district in Gujarat and four teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Pune were sent to Banaskantha district today, which is worst affected,” state disaster control room officer T B Patel told PTI.

Besides, two Indian Air Force helicopters were also roped in for rescue operations in the district, he added.