Heavy rains lash Gujarat, 25,000 evacuated

Ahmedabad: Heavy rains battered Gujarat, at least 25,000 people have been evacuated to safety in various parts of the state. North and central parts of Gujarat witnessed heavy rains, which are expected until July 29.

The state is on a high alert as more than 20 highways of the state were submerged due to heavy rains. Due to river water on the tracks, Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express had to return to Ahmedabad from Mehsana. Rail services between Ahmedabad and Delhi were stopped as the tracks were flooded, reports OneIndia.

While teams of National Disaster Response Force and other rescue agencies are at work, the Air Force has been kept on standby to evacuate people.

Rain triggered Floods affected Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Anand, Patan and parts of Valsad districts. Around 11,000 people have been evacuated in Banaskantha district alone.

Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani conducted an aerial survey. He has stationed himself in the state flood control room to supervise operations. The State Emergency Operations Centre said that the state has so far received 56.61 per cent of the total expected rainfall.