Floods disrupt life in Navsari, Valsad in Gujarat

Continuous rain in south Gujarat has resulted in a flood-like situation in many towns. The situation became worse for residents of Navsari and Valsad on Monday, as water entered low-lying areas of both cities.

People had to be evacuated, while waterlogging resulted in losses worth crores.

Heavy rain in upper areas of Dangs, Kaprada and Dharampur in Valsad district and some parts of Dadra and Nagar Haveli led to heavy inflow of water in local rivers. The situation went out of control on Monday after Purna River in Navsari entered low-lying areas of the city. More than one foot of water covered streets which disrupted normal life. There was water-logging in Kaliyawadi, Chaarpool and few areas of Vijalpore.

"We are continuously monitoring the situation. Around 5,000 people from 27 villages in Gandevi taluka and nine villages in Chikhli taluka have been evacuated owing to increase in water flow in the river. People have also been evacuated from Bilimora and Gandevi town. Situation in Navsari is under control," said Sandhya Bhular, district collector of Navsari.

According to Bhular, water levTo review situation in the district the collector held an emergency meeting on Monday. Alert has been issued to villages in low-lying areas.  The situation was similar in Valsad district where water entered the town in the early hours of Monday.

District collector of Valsad LC Patel called an emergency meeting on Monday. "Water has started to recede now and things are under control. We have deployed a team to monitor the situation round the clock," Patel said. Flooding was also reported in Jalalpore, Vankal, Mahuva and Vasnda.