Ahmedabad: It’s a double whammy for the people of Gujarat who are already affected by widespread floods in the state due to days of incessant rainfall. While the water barging into homes has prompted evacuation from low-lying areas, Gujaratis are faced with another threat to their life if they move out of their houses.
Videos surfaced on social media of crocodiles venturing into residential areas in many parts of Vadodara as the Vishwamitiri river breached its banks and water flew into the city. In one such video by news agency PTI, a crocodile climbed atop the roof of a house in the city’s Akota stadium area on Thursday. Locals were gripped with panic after seeing the reptile.
VIDEO | Gujarat Rains: Crocodile spotted at roof of a house as heavy rainfall inundate Akota Stadium area of Vadodara.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)#GujaratRains #GujaratFlood pic.twitter.com/FYQitH7eBK
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 29, 2024
Gujarat floods news: Situation limps back to normalcy
The situation in rain-battered Gujarat improved slightly on Thursday as the rainfall subsided, but Vadodara and other parts of the state are still grappling with a flood-like situation due to overflowing rivers. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing as authorities work to address the crisis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel for the second consecutive day to assess the situation. He also urged the Chief Minister to ensure that proper measures are taken to prevent the spread of diseases after the floods.
Rain-related incidents have claimed 26 lives over the past three days, according to authorities.
More than 18,000 people have been relocated, and around 1,200 have been rescued from flood-affected areas across the state. In some instances, helicopters were deployed by security forces to transport people to safer locations, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
Vadodara, the worst-hit city, saw some relief as the water level of the Vishwamitri River dropped from 37 feet to 32 feet in the morning. However, several low-lying areas remain inundated.
