A comprehensive status report on the flood
situation in different parts of the country is given below:-
GUJARAT
Rainfall:
Very heavy rainfall has been recorded in South and Central Gujarat in last 24 hours. Rainfall is in continuance of very heavy downpour during the last three days. More than 50 talukas have received rainfall exceeding 200 mm.
Mahi, Shedi, Bhadrak, More, Dadar, Dev and Vishwamitri rivers are overflowing.
Water level in Vadodara, Anand and most of the areas in Kheda is upto 10-12 feet. Water has entered in most of the villages and the cities are inundated.
According to IMD, the rainfall is likely to continue in South/Central Gujarat for next two days.
There has been heavy rainfall in the districts of North Gujarat in the evening of 1.7.2005.
Districts affected:
All the districts in South/Central Gujarat viz. Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are severely affected. Position is critical in Vadodara, Kheda and Anand.
In South Gujarat, Valsad, Navsari and Surat have also received heavy rainfall but villages are approachable in these districts.
About 17,000 square kilometers area is affected by floods. A total of 8,000 villages have been affected by the floods of which 2,200 villages are still facing acute flood problem.
Population affected:
The total population affected is about 100 lakh.
94 lives are reported to have been lost.
In addition, 5 state police personnel and one Home Guard have lost their lives while engaged in rescue operations.
About 1500 people in Aljada village in Nadiad district are marooned since the village is surrounded by river Shedhi
People were stranded in village Limbdi (District Surendranagar) due to transportation problem. With the improvement in the flood situation in Saurashtra, public transportation has since been restored.
400 passengers stranded in Shanti Express at Dakor station have since left the train and moved to the city as water level has receded.
Infrastructure affected
Power supply, Telecommunication, Road Transportation has been badly affected.
A large number of roads have been inundated and many of them have been breached/washed away.
The National expressway is closed to traffic since 1600 hours on 30th June, 2005 due to breaches at km. 38 & 76. The National Highway Authority of India have mobilized men and machinery for restoration work on war-footing.
The National Highway Number 8 from Ahmedabad to Vadodara was closed for light vehicles till 1300 hours of 1st July, 2005, due to over-topping and breaches. Now heavy and light vehicles are also passing through since then to traffic
The National Highway Number 6, which was closed to traffic in the morning of 30th June, 2005 was restored in the afternoon of 1st July, 2005, after the water level receded.
The traffic on National Highway 8 E was stopped on 29.6.2005. It has since been restored after repairs and opened to traffic in the evening of 30.6.2005.
Traffic has been stopped on National Highway 59 since 30.6.2005 as the water level was 1 to 1.5 meters over the road. The traffic is being diverted to other state roads. State Road and Building Department is making their best effort to restore the traffic.
Dams
The Pratapura dam on the upper side of Vadodara town has developed a 30 feet breach. The water may take three days to drain out if the breach does not spread.
Besides, 33 dams are on high alert, 9 are on alert and 12 are on warning.
Relief Measures
1.97 lakh persons evacuated to safer places.
Evacuation of persons from low lying areas in some parts of Surat has been undertaken by Surat Municipal Corporation
Army has been called in Vadodara city and is assisting in the shifting of marooned people despite heavy flooding of the road network.
9 Army Columns have been deployed at Vadodara, Nadiad, Anand and Rajkot while seven Columns are available as standby arrangement and would be deployed on requisition.
3 Air Force helicopters have been positioned at Vododara and 4 helicopters at Ahmedabad. They have been able to undertake five sorties to drop two tonnes of food packets at Vadodara, two tonnes at Dakor, two tonnes at Karjan and four tonnes at Padra.
State Government has mobilized 30 mechanized boats for rescue and relief operations. 40 Army boats have been airlifted from Pune and Bhopal and will be delivered at Ahmedabad by 2200 hours. .
Arrangements for providing 1.5 lakh food packets and 1.5 lakh water pouches and water bottles have been made for the flood affected areas.
Fire brigades of the Municipal Corporations of Ahmedabad, Baroda and other major cities have been deployed for relief and rescue operations.
Mobilization of additional flat/mechanized boats is underway.
Trained Disaster Management Teams of CRPF have been deployed in the affected areas. CRPF now has 3 RAF companies at Ahmedabad. 4 companies of RAF in Mumbai, 400 personnel at Neemach and 150 personnel at Pune who are available for deployment as and when requisitioned by the State. With regard to 3 RAF companies in Ahmedabad, they can only be used for search and rescue operations after which they will be used for Rathyatra bandobast.
The State Government has requested the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for supply of 80 MT of Synthetic Pyrethroid 2.5% equivalents and 8000 Kg of Biolavicide (as per the specification prescribed by GOI) under the scheme of Central Assistance to Calamity Relief Fund so that they could better manage the vector borne disease situation in the heavy rains/flood affected districts.
Railways have informed that 2,500 persons stranded in three trains have been rescued and shifted to Anand Railway Station. The State Government has been requested to make necessary arrangements for food, drinking water and accommodation to the stranded passengers.
Railways have opened an Emergency Cell in Rail Bhavan to monitor the progress of relief to stranded passengers.
Ministries/Departments of Drinking Water Supply, Telecom, Health, Road Transport and Highways, Power, Petroleum and Natural Gas have been directed to immediately assess the damage in their respective sectors and take necessary action on top priority basis for restoration of infrastructure and providing adequate supplies.
ORISSA
There has been light rainfall in Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar districts on 30th June and 1st July, 2005. Light rainfall was also reported in several other parts of the State on 1st July, 2005.
The flow in Baitarani river which was flowing above the danger level yesterday has now fallen below the danger level and the water level is further receding.
10 breaches in Bhadrak district and 4 breaches in Jajpur district in various river embankments have been reported.
One unidentified person was reportedly swept away in floods in Bhadrak district. The dead body has not been recovered so far.
Due to heavy rainfall and floods in district Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapara before 30th June, 2005, 266 villages with a population of 2.43 lakh had been affected. Necessary rescue and relief measures had been taken including deployment of boats and distribution of food materials. The flood has since receded and the situation is now normal.
MAHARASHTRA
Nasik, Dhule and Nundarbar in Maharashtra have reportedly received light to moderate rainfall. The rains are scanty in other parts of Maharashtra. All rivers are reportedly flowing below the warning level.
GENERAL
The situation in Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh is normal.
The situation in Bilaspur City in Chattisgarh which was water-logged yesterday has improved and the traffic movement has been restored. The situation is now normal.
Action taken by the Government of India
Action taken by the Government of India is Annexed.
( Ashim Khurana )
Joint Secretary (DM)
Tel.No.23092456/Fax.No.23093465
Mobile.9810093411
e.mail: jsdm@mha.nic.in
Distribution:
1. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
2. Private Secretary to the Prime Minister (Shri BVR Subrahmanyam).
3. Prime Minister's Office (Shri Sanjay Mitra, Joint Secretary).
4. Cabinet Secretariat (Shri Shatrughana Singh, Joint Secretary).
Copy to:-
1. PS to HM/PS to MOS(R).
2. PS to HS/PPS to Secretary (BM)/JS (DM)/Director (PR)/DS(NDM.I)/IOC, MHA/Master Folder.
ANNEXURE
ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Visit of Hon'ble Home Minister
The Hon'ble Union Home Minister alongwith Secretary (Border Management) MHA and the representatives of Ministry of Defence is visiting the State of Gujarat from 1st July, 2005 to review the flood situation with the State Government.
Review Meetings
The flood situation in the State of Gujarat was reviewed by the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) headed by Cabinet Secretary at 1100 hours and a follow up Inter Ministerial meeting by the Union Home Secretary at 1900 hours today i.e. 1st July, 2005 with the representatives of all line Ministries/Departments.
Meeting of the NCMC headed by Cabinet Secretary
In the meeting conducted by the Cabinet Secretary the following important decisions have taken:-
i) The Air Force to air drop food packets and drinking water pouches for the stranded railway passengers as soon as the weather situation permits. Army boats to be pressed into service to evacuate the passengers within 5-6 hours.
ii) Army to assist in clearing the blockage on the roads /Express Highway - Ahmedabad to Vadodara.
iii) Six helicopters have already been deployed for rescue & relief operations. Six more helicopters would be kept in a state of high alert for immediate deployment as and when the weather condition permits.
iv) Army to make available atleast 100 flat/mechanized /inflatable boats for immediate relief & rescue operations.
v) All efforts are to be made to evacuate stranded persons in the affected areas within next 5-6 hours.
vi) Trained Disaster Management Teams of CRPF have been deployed in the affected areas. One Battalion of CRPF based at Gandhinagar is being deployed immediately for relief and rescue operations. The 2nd CRPF battalion located in Pune is to be placed on high alert for immediate deployment in Gujarat.
vii) Additional requirement of medicines would be made available to the State Government by the Ministry of Health for preventive measures and treatment of affected people.
Meeting taken by Union Home Secretary
In the follow up Inter Ministerial meeting conducted by the Union Home Secretary the following important decisions were taken:-
i) It was noted that the Pratapura dam which had developed 30 feet breach, is likely to breach further. HS directed the Ministry of Water Resources to depute a Team of experts to make an assessment of all the important dams in the affected areas including the Partapura, Kheda and Ajwa dams by today evening or latest by tomorrow morning positively.
ii) The Ministry of Defence has mobilized 48 boats which are being air lifted from Bangalore and Pune to Ahmedabad and likely to reach tonight or latest by morning of 2nd July, 2005. They further agreed to mobilize 20 more boats thus making a total of 68 boats, which would be made available to the State Government by 2.7.2005. Some of these boats will have OBMs and life jackets.
iii) CRPF has already deployed 170 personnel. HS directed that additional 400 personnel who are on a standby duty may immediately be moved. It was confirmed that CRPF has ordered movement of these 400 personnel who are likely to reach within the next seven hours. HS has also directed CRPF to move one more batallion to Gujarat.
iv) Army has already deployed 9 columns. 7 additional columns are kept on a standby. DGMO informed that MOD may assist in restoring communication. MOD Control Room is working 24X7 and may be contacted at Telephone No.23011617 and Mobile No.9811556827.
v) Ministry of Civil Aviation has to arrange air lifting of 20 MTs of bleachng powder on 2nd July, 2005 from Tambram, Chennai to Ahmedabad by Indian Airlines. Ministry of Health and Ministry of Civil Aviation will coordinate and ensure air lifting of the material. If there is any constraint in the air lifting of bleaching powder by Indian Airlines because of chemical packaging etc., the material will be air lifted by aircrafts to be provided by Indian Air Force. It was informed by Ministry of Health representative that the State has a stock of 60 MT of Synthetic Pyrethroid 2.5% equivalents and Biolavicide. The urgent requirement in the State is for Chlorine tablets and bleaching powder. MoH will arrange the requirement of Chlorine tablets and send to the State Government by tomorrow. HS desired that a team of Health experts/Epidemiologists may be sent to Gujarat in consultation with the State Government.
vi) The Ministry of Railways informed that 2,500 persons who have been evacuated from the stranded trains and shifted to Anand Railway Station will need food, water, accommodation etc. The Resident Commissioner, Gujarat was directed to coordinate with local authorities and arrange suitable provisions for the evacuated people. The Ministry has already mobilized necessary resources for undertaking repairs of railway infrastructure including tracks. The repair will be undertaken once water recedes.
As per the information available with the Army, the 400 passengers stranded in Shanti Express have left the train and moved to the city as the water level has receded.
vii) The Department of Drinking Water Supply informed that there was no drinking water problem and that water tankers had been pressed into service. HS directed that the adequate supply of drinking water in the affected areas will have to be ensured by distribution of water pouches, water bottles, water tankers etc.
viii) The National Highways Authority of India confirmed that necessary equipment and technical manpower have already been mobilized but repair could not be taken up due to high water levels. As soon as water recedes, repair and restoration works will be undertaken.
ix) The Ministry of Agriculture informed that the preliminary assessment of damage would be possible only by Monday that is 4th July, 2005. However, Seed Corporation of India would be sending a Team next week to the State for assessing requirement of seeds.
x) The Ministry of Petroleum informed that the Refineries are working normally and there is sufficient stock of POL in the State. However, it was noted that there would be additional requirement of Kerosene in view of the floods in the State. HS directed that additional authorization of 800 KL Kerosene may be made for the State immediately. Supply of POL should also be ensured as per the requirements of the State.
xi) IMD informed that the rain in the affected areas is likely to continue for another two to three days and that the entire North Gujarat may experience heavy to very heavy rain fall. IMD was directed to give a detailed report on forecast of rains during the next meeting.
xii) The Department of Telecommunications informed that 85 telephone exchanges were affected by the recent floods out of which 48 exchanges are located in the Nadiad district. The repairs however, can only be undertaken only after water recedes. HS directed that adequate number of technical manpower and equipments should be in place so as to ensure faster restoration of telecom facilities.
xiii) The Department of Road Transport and Highways informed that the National Highway No.6, 8, 8A and 59 were severely affected. HS directed that the Department should coordinate with State PWD and other agencies and ensure that necessary equipment and manpower are in place for undertaking repair and restoration work when the water recedes.
xiv) The Department of Food informed that there is enough stock of food items. HS directed that the situation should be monitored constantly by the Department to ensure supply of essential commodities.