Gujarat rains: Death toll rises to 28, IMD predicts cyclonic storm on August 30

The Indian state of Gujarat is facing heavy rainfall which has ledto the death of 28 people due to waterlogging and a flood-like situation.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued a red alert for Thursday. It has also indicated that a cyclonic storm will develop off the coast of Gujarat on August 30, potentially leading to more heavy rainfall, currently lingering over Saurashtra and Kutch.

The IMDhas also noted that the deep depression has remained stationary for more than six hours.

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“To move W-SW and emerge into the northeast Arabian Sea by the morning of August 30. While moving W-SW over the northeast Arabian Sea away from the Indian coast, there is a possibility of its temporary and marginal intensification over the northeast Arabian Sea on August 30,” the weather department stated.

According to Rushikesh Patel, the health minister of Gujarat, over 5000 people have beenrehabilitated. As per the State Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey, around 40,000 people have been evacuated from the flood-affected areas.

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Six army contingents are helping out the 14teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in rescue operations acrossthe state. The NDRF has already rescued over 95 people in the last two days.

According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), Gujarat has experienced 105 per centof its average annual rainfall in the last few days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation over a call with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel.

The Gujarat CM took to X (formerly Twitter) and said PMModi offered guidance and extended his full support for the rescue operation in the state.

Several districts in the Saurashtra region, including Jamnagar, Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Rajkot, experienced rainfall ranging from 50mm to 200mm on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Bhanvad taluka recorded the highest rainfall in the state, with 185 mm of rainfall.

(With inputs from agencies)