The Hindu : Front Page : Rain havoc continues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 03, 2005

Front Page

Front Page

Rain havoc continues

Manas Dasgupta

Photo: PTI

A HIGHWAY SUBMERGED: In Central Gujarat, the ups and downs of a major roadway.

GANDHINAGAR: As people in almost half of Vadodara city continue to remain marooned by the swirling waters of the Vishwamitri river, heavy rain lashed most parts of north Gujarat and Saurashtra on Saturday, seriously affecting life.

The total dislocation of rail and road traffic between Ahmedabad and Vadodara and beyond has hit rescue and relief operations. Relief materials could not reach the affected areas except the dropping of food packets by IAF helicopters. Minister of State for Home Amit Shah, who is camping in Vadodara, said the State Government was trying to open National Highway-8 only for trucks carrying relief materials.

Death toll 124

Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel said the death toll in the rain and floods had risen to 124 while more than four lakh people were rendered homeless and shifted to safer places.

At least 60 villages in central and north Gujarat had been "marooned" and efforts were being made to establish contact with them. Over 1,800 Army personnel, nine helicopters and 35 mechanised boats had been rescuing people. More than 50 boats had been requisitioned.

Ahmed Patel, political adviser to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was here to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections from the State, said he had spoken to the Prime Minister's Office requesting it to coordinate with the Defence Ministry to rush more mechanised boats and helicopters.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil made an aerial survey of the affected areas.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

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