Indian Navy deploys teams to augment relief operations in Gujarat

Porbandar (Gujarat) [India], August 30 (ANI): Based on the requests received from the local administration due to flood-like situation after incessant rains in Gujarat, Indian Naval flood relief teams at Porbandar and Jamnagar were deployed to augment the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in the state.

Two rescue teams from Porbandar along with associated specialist equipment were deployed to Morana and Fatana villages. The team assisted villagers in evacuation to a safe location.

Rescue teams from Jamnagar with associated gear were deployed near Bedi Marine Police Station and Jamnagar town which evacuated 50 elderly people to a safe location.

Further, additional rescue teams with associated gears are kept on standby to provide necessary assistance.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall for Friday in isolated areas of Gujarat’s districts, including Kachchh, Morbi, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Porbandar.

“Moderate thunderstorms/lightning with maximum surface wind speeds of 40-60 km/h (in gusts), accompanied by heavy rainfall (15 mm/hr), are very likely at isolated places in the districts of Gujarat, namely Kachchh, Morbi, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Porbandar,” the IMD stated.

The IMD also forecast moderate rainfall in isolated areas of the districts of Surendranagar, Rajkot, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Amreli.

“Light thunderstorms or lightning, with maximum surface wind speeds of less than 40 km/h (in gusts), accompanied by light to moderate rainfall (5-15 mm/hr), are very likely at isolated places in the districts of Gujarat, namely Surendranagar, Rajkot, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Amreli.”

“Light rainfall (5 mm/hr) is very likely at isolated places in the districts of Gujarat, including Diu, Banaskantha, Patan, Mahesana, Sabar Kantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Dahod, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Botad, Bhavnagar, Anand, Kheda, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Dangs, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadar & Nagar Haveli,” the IMD added.

Earlier, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel arrived at the Gandhinagar State Emergency Operation Center on Thursday after travelling from Vadodara, following the forecast of heavy rains and potential storms.

Upon his arrival, the Chief Minister reviewed the system’s preparedness for the natural calamity via video conference with the District Collectors.

The Chief Minister also issued immediate instructions to evacuate areas as necessary to safeguard residents from the impending calamity. Chief Secretary Rajkumar and other senior secretaries were also present during the meeting.

Gujarat has been experiencing heavy rain for the past few days, leading to parts of the state being inundated and displacing hundreds of residents to safer locations due to severe floods.