Amreli, July 6 (IANS) Heavy rainfall continued to affect large parts of Gujarat over the past 24 hours, with Rajula taluka in Amreli district recording the state’s highest rainfall of 10 inches, while authorities evacuated 777 people from vulnerable areas and rescued 60 people trapped in floodwaters as intense showers swept across Saurashtra and South Gujarat.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar, Dhari taluka in Amreli received more than 9 inches of rainfall, while Khambha recorded over 6 inches and Savarkundla more than 5 inches.

Jafrabad, Bagsara and Lilia talukas in the district each received more than 4 inches of rain. In Dang district, Subir received more than 5 inches of rainfall and Ahwa more than 4 inches.

Amreli district recorded an average rainfall of more than 4 inches during the last 24 hours, while Dang district also received an average of around 4 inches.

Elsewhere, Vijaynagar taluka in Sabarkantha and Una taluka in Gir Somnath each recorded 4 inches of rainfall. Jesar in Bhavnagar district and Chikhli in Navsari district received more than 3 inches.

More than 2 inches of rainfall was recorded in Mahuva and Gariyadhar in Bhavnagar district; Vapi, Umargam and Kaprada in Valsad district; Dolvan, Vyara and Valod in Tapi district; Gir Gadhada and Kodinar in Gir Somnath district; Gandevi in Navsari district; Chuda in Surendranagar district; Ambika in Surat district; and Amreli taluka.

Another 32 talukas received more than one inch of rainfall, while 105 talukas recorded less than one inch. Overall, rain was recorded in 164 talukas across Gujarat during the past 24 hours.

As of 6 a.m. on Monday, Gujarat had received more than 6 inches of seasonal rainfall, equivalent to over 17 per cent of the long-period average.

Saurashtra has recorded the highest seasonal rainfall at more than 23 per cent, followed by South Gujarat at over 20 per cent, East-Central Gujarat at more than 12 per cent and North Gujarat at over 10 per cent. Kutch has received the lowest rainfall so far this season at 0.42 per cent.

The continuing inflow from upstream catchment areas has increased storage in the Sardar Sarovar Dam to 2.15 lakh million cubic feet (MCFT), or about 65 per cent of its capacity.

The state’s other 206 reservoirs together currently hold 2.09 lakh MCFT of water.

According to the latest reservoir status, two dams are full, 18 dams have storage above 70 per cent, 20 dams are above 50 per cent, 49 dams are above 25 per cent, and 117 dams are below 25 per cent of their capacity.

Six dams have been placed on high alert, seven are on alert, and another seven are at warning level because of prevailing water levels.

The state government said local administrations have shifted 777 people to safer locations from Navsari, Junagadh, Tapi, Dang, Gir Somnath, Porbandar and Amreli districts as a precautionary measure.

Rescue teams have also evacuated 60 people stranded in floodwaters. To deal with any rain-related emergencies, 35 disaster response teams have been deployed in sensitive districts, including 10 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 25 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

An additional four NDRF teams and eight SDRF teams have been kept on standby at their headquarters for immediate deployment if required.

The administration has also advised all fishermen not to venture into the sea until July 9, citing the forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department and rough sea conditions.

“Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted electricity supply in 2,804 villages across Gujarat. The Energy Department restored power supply in 2,738 villages, while restoration work was continuing in the remaining 66 villages,” the government said.

–IANS

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