38 killed, hundreds stranded as heavy rains lash Gujarat

Death toll due to heavy rainfall in Gujarat on Thursday rose to 38, including 27 in worst-hit Amreli district, following which Chief Minister Anandiben Patel conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas.

"Death toll due to heavy rains has risen to 38. The deaths were reported from Amreli (27), Rajkot (4), Bhavnagar (3), Surat (2) and one each from Bharuch and Valsad districts," State Relief Commissioner D N Pandey said.

On the issue of providing compensation to the affected people, he said financial aid will be given as per norms.

Financial aid or help is being given to people in affected areas like whose houses have been damaged, or in the cases of casualties or other injuries. Aid will be given as per norms of the National Disaster Relief Fund," he said.

"Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has been conducting aerial survey and final decision on providing further help or financial aid will be taken after a meeting with her," Pandey said.

He said the situation has improved. However, there are some areas which have been facing the problem of power failure and the state government has given directions to the energy department to rectify it, he said.

According to Amreli Collector H R Suthar, NDRF and Air Force teams are participating in the rescue and relief operations which are going on in full swing.

"The local administration is prepared to provide every possible service to the rain-affected areas. We started distributing food packets to people in affected areas with the help of helicopters," Amreli Member of Parliament Naran Kachhadiya said.

Meanwhile, heavy rains due to deep depression over the Arabian sea, which lashed Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions incessantly since Wednesday, took a break as the deep depression moved towards Madhya Pradesh, officials said.

"The deep depression has passed out of the state, and now it has converted to a low mark pressure and is centred over Madhya Pradesh. It will weeken further in the next 24 hours," Director at State Meteorological Department Jayanta Sarkar told media persons.