20-inch rain in 8 hrs: Vadodara struggles to stay above water

Vadodara was inundated after it received over 20 inches of rainfall from 2 pm to 10 pm on Wednesday.  The resultant waterlogging threw life out of gear in the city with the district administration declaring a holiday in all schools and colleges for Thursday. 

The rains led to 13 trains being cancelled and many others being rerouted. A holiday has been declared for all courts in the city too.  

The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and state administration rescued over 100 people living close to the Vishwamitri river in Bhayli. Those in low-lying areas were also evacuated to safety.

So far, three NDRF teams have been deployed in Vadodara and the state was likely to send more in the hours that followed.

Apart from within the city, major highways saw huge snarls, with traffic between Vadodara and Surat seeing major disruptions.

The rains had the Vishwamitri river in a spate as it rose to 23 feet – a few shy of the 26-ft danger mark, officials said. Ajwa dam was also overflowing, crossing the danger mark of 215 feet.

Of the top five talukas to receive rain on Wednesday, four were in Vadodara alone.  Dabhoi, Karjan and Waghodia each received 152mm, 137mm and 124mm respectively.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also held a high-level meeting to review the situation in Vadodara city. 

Rupani also deputed two IAS officers to direct the rescue efforts of the local administration. The state has warned people in lowlying areas to move to safer locations. 

Rupani rushed to the State Disaster Control Room to take stock of the situation and direct rescue operations.