Rains Take a Breather in South Gujarat, Bharuch Begins Cleanup Post-Floods

Surat/Bharuch : After days of relentless rainfall and devastating floods in Bharuch district and parts of south Gujarat including Surat, Valsad, and Navsari districts, there’s a glimmer of hope as the rains have finally taken a breather.

The respite from the downpours comes as a welcome relief to the flood-affected areas, especially Bharuch, where the district administration has launched a cleanliness campaign on a war footing to combat the spread of waterborne diseases and manage the aftermath of the deluge.

As floodwaters recede from the Bharuch district, including Ankleshwar, the local administration has swung into action. The cleanliness campaign is being conducted diligently to clear the debris and muck left behind by the devastating floods. Residential areas on Diva Road and Hansot Road, which bore the brunt of the Narmada River floods, are now witnessing the collective efforts of residents, particularly shop owners in Furza, Panch Batti, Diva Road, Ankleshwar Town, and Hansot Road.

The aftermath of the floods has left many residents of Bharuch and Ankleshwar deeply upset and frustrated. Reports of skirmishes between residents and government officials tasked with surveying property losses have surfaced from various locations in Ankleshwar and Bharuch. The anger has been palpable, with residents expressing their grievances over the extent of the destruction caused by the floods.

In a significant incident, the residents of Jalaram Society in Ankleshwar confronted Bharuch Collector and State Minister Kuwarji Halpati when they visited the flood-affected areas on Wednesday. The confrontation underscores the severity of the situation and the pressing concerns of the affected residents.

Aaliya Bet Island, a river island located in the delta of the Narmada River in Bharuch, has been hit hard by the floods. Approximately 135 families residing on the island have been severely affected, with more than 400 cattle heads tragically lost in the gushing floodwaters. The devastation on Aaliya Bet Island highlights the urgent need for rehabilitation and support to those affected by the floods.

In Surat, residents heaved a sigh of relief as the water level in the Tapi River has receded. The Ukai Dam authorities have significantly reduced the release of water, bringing it down to less than 16,000 cusecs since Tuesday. The current water level in the Ukai Dam stands at 342.81 feet, slightly below the rule level of 345 feet. The dam continues to receive approximately 69,000 cusecs of water, with 16,600 cusecs being released into the Tapi River.