Surat/Valsad, July 8 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will visit rain-affected Surat and Valsad districts on Thursday to assess the flood situation, review relief and rescue operations, and take stock of the condition of affected residents, government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani said on Wednesday.

The announcement came after the state Cabinet, chaired by the Chief Minister in Gandhinagar, conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing rainfall situation across Gujarat.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Vaghani said: “The Chief Minister would undertake the visit to obtain a first-hand assessment of the current rainfall situation, understand the condition of the affected people, and personally inspect the ongoing relief and rescue operations.”

The Chief Minister has also directed local ministers and ministers in charge of all rain-affected districts to undertake field visits and review the situation on the ground.

According to Vaghani, the ministers have been instructed to personally assess the preparedness of the administrative machinery and disaster management arrangements in their respective districts.

The review of the flood situation comes as Gujarat continues to experience an active monsoon spell. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of the state and issued alerts for several districts, with a risk of localised flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Authorities have advised residents in low-lying regions to remain cautious and follow official advisories as the wet spell is expected to continue.

Apart from reviewing the monsoon situation, the Cabinet also discussed measures to promote cleaner transport.

“The Chief Minister had instructed the concerned officials to prepare a comprehensive and robust ‘EV Charging Station Policy’ for Gujarat to strengthen environment-friendly transportation,” he said.

The proposed policy is intended to facilitate wider adoption of green energy and electric vehicles across the state.

The Cabinet also paid tribute to 11 people who died during the recent spell of heavy rainfall due to incidents including wall and tree collapses and lightning strikes.

The Council of Ministers paid condolences, prayed for the peace of the departed souls and expressed sympathy to the bereaved families.

–IANS

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