Heavy rains caused flooding in various districts in Gujarat over the past several days, forcing 28,000 people to relocate to safer areas.
Several districts, especially those in south Gujarat and Saurashtra, have been paralyzed by heavy rainfall.
The government said Tuesday that 69 people have died because of the monsoon, mostly from lightning, but none because of “negligence” on the part of the authorities.
NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed for rescue operations across the affected areas in Gujarat, according to Rajendra Trivedi, the state revenue minister.
According to Trivedi, a total of 28,000 people have been relocated until Tuesday, of which 18,000 are staying in relief camps and 9,700 have returned after the water receded.
It is predicted that more rain will fall over the next few days, which will worsen the weather condition. Several districts in south Gujarat, including Jamnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka, Kutch, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari and Valsad, are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rains from July 13 to July 17.
To assess the situation, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Chhota Udepur, Narmada, and Navsari, which have been badly affected.
