Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi visits flood-affected areas in Umargam, directs officials to provide immediate assistance to affected families
Valsad, July 24
Following a record 42.56 inches of rainfall in a single day, the highest ever recorded in Valsad district during the monsoon, several villages in Umargam taluka suffered extensive damage.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited the flood-affected areas on Friday, inspected the rain damage, and directed the administration to complete the damage assessment survey quickly and ensure timely assistance to the affected families.
The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the overall situation with Umargam MLA Ramanlal Patkar and Prant Officer Nirav Patel. He also visited the affected areas of Bhilad, Satnala, and Dhodipada, interacted with local residents, and assessed the flood situation. He directed officials to take immediate action to ensure early government assistance to the affected families.
He further instructed the concerned departments to provide timely and appropriate assistance under government welfare schemes to farmers, animal husbandry-related farmers, and all families affected by the heavy rainfall.
During the Deputy Chief Minister's visit, Valsad Dang MP and Lok Sabha Whip Dhaval Patel; District BJP President Hemant Kansara; other public representatives; and administrative officials were also present in the area.
Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Bopal area to inspect the severe waterlogging caused by the heavy rainfall in the area.
The Chief Minister held an on-site review meeting with officials and assessed the rainwater drainage, relief, and rescue operations.
Considering the seriousness of the situation, the Chief Minister personally reached the waterlogged area, visited the affected localities, and interacted directly with residents.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to accelerate the relief and rescue operations and ensure the immediate availability of the required manpower, equipment, and necessary arrangements.
Earlier in the day, heavy rainfall in South Gujarat had led to waterlogging in rural areas of Surat district, with the Kim River in spate following a massive inflow of water from upstream areas.
Floodwaters have also entered nearby housing societies and residential localities, forcing residents to remain indoors due to waterlogging outside their homes. The administration is closely monitoring the situation and has urged people to avoid going near the river or venturing into floodwaters. Meanwhile, rescue operations in the flood-affected areas of the Valsad district are underway with intensified efforts. To support the local administration, 70 Army personnel with five boats, five NDRF teams, five SDRF teams, and 25 Fire Brigade personnel have been deployed. More than 500 residents from the rural areas of Umargam, Vapi, Dharampur, and Pardi talukas have been shifted to safer locations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some proactive response! Last year during floods in my area, officials took days to show up. Here, the Chief Minister also visited Bopal personally. That's what leadership looks like - not just sitting in Gandhinagar but being on ground in waders. 🫡
The real heroes are those 70 Army personnel, NDRF, and local volunteers who are risking their lives in these dangerous conditions. 500 people evacuated is significant. But why does it always take record-breaking disasters for authorities to act? The drainage systems in South Gujarat need serious overhaul.
Hardworking people of Umargam! Hope the damage assessment survey is completed on time and compensation reaches everyone fairly. The farmers must be worried about their crops in this heavy rain. Government should waive loans for farmers in affected areas as well.
42.56 inches in one day - is that even possible? Our city floods with just 2 inches! The residents of Valsad must be traumatized. I'm glad the CM visited Bopal too, because urban flooding is equally serious. Hope BMC and other corporations learn from this about stormwater drainage.
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