Life back on track in flood-hit Navsari, Bharuch

With the rain fury abating in South Gujarat, life gradually began to return to normalcy in flood-affected Navsari and Bharuch districts on Thursday. However, three talukas of Bharuch district are still flooded.

Meanwhile, the district administration distributed relief materials at affected areas and shifted people to safer locations. The officials also initiated a survey of flood-affected areas in Navsari district on Thursday. Cash aid amounting to Rs66 lakh was distributed among 3,000 people, while cleanliness drives were carried out in affected areas. According to the district administration, the actual picture of damage will be revealed only after the survey.

Rain and floods also adversely affected agriculture sector in the district. The district agriculture department said that standing crops on 862 hectare land got destroyed due to floods, while vegetables and fruits sown on 645 hectare land were washed away.

In Bharuch district, as rain stopped on Thursday, water level in Sardar Sarovar dam and Narmada river receded following which the district administration asked concerned departments to conduct a survey to gauge the loss due to floods.

There were reports of 14 houses collapsing due to rain in the district between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

As many as 9,000 people were further evacuated to safer places after Dhadar river crossed danger level on Thursday.

While the danger mark of the river is 101 feet, water level was recorded at 103 feet. As many as 80 villages in Waghra, Amod and Jambusar talukas of Bharuch district have been alerted.