Vadodara city in central Gujarat has received a staggering 442 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours on Wednesday, forcing shut-down of airport, cancellation of a few trains and leading to heavy water-logging.
Flood-hit Vadodara airport on the outskirts of the city was temporarily shut down and two domestic flights were cancelled, airport authorities said. Two flights from Mumbai and Delhi were diverted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport in Ahmedabad.
Western Railways said some trains passing through the city were either cancelled or diverted due to "heavy water-logging".
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani convened an emergency meeting in the evening and reviewed the situation in Vadodara. IAS officials Vinod Rao and Lochan Sehra were asked to rush into the city and provide guidance to the local government to resolve the situation.
The chief minister urged people in low-lying areas to cooperate with district administration during evacuation.
Gujarat received widespread rain across the state. Heavy rains have hit Ahmedabad city and central Gujarat. Ahmedabad city recorded 58 mm rainfall on Wednesday.
All schools in in Vadodara city will remain closed on Thursday. Vadodara, the third-largest city of Gujarat, has population of over 20 lakh.
The state government asked the local administration to shift people from low-lying areas in Vadodara if needed as water entered into houses in several localities. The National Disaster Response Force has offered assistance to the state government and deployed three rescue teams in the Vadodara.
According to a press release issued by the state government, Vadodara city received 424 mm rainfall Between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm on Wednesday. Of this, 286 mm of rain fell in just four hours ending at 8.00 pm, said the release.
Dabhoi town in Vadodara district received 152 mm rain, Halol in Panchmahal district received 143 mm, followed by Karjan in Vadodara district (137 mm), Waghodiya in Vadodara (124 mm), Umarpada in Surat (118 mm) and Sankheda in Chhotaudepur district (117 mm).
As per the latest forecast by the IMD, several parts of Gujarat, including Saurashtra, would receive "heavy to very heavy rains" during the next two days. Rainfall is expected to continue on Thursday across southern Gujarat.
(With inputs from PTI)
