Vadodara: Despite a temporary lull in rainfall, Vadodara remains submerged as floodwaters continue to wreak havoc across the city. The Vishwamitri River breached its banks, flooding residential areas, streets, and vehicles, prompting an extensive response from emergency services.
On Wednesday, the Indian Army was mobilised to bolster the relief and rescue operations already underway. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) confirmed the deployment of three additional Army columns, complementing the four already stationed in the district. This move underscores the severity of the situation as the city’s infrastructure struggles under the deluge. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are also actively engaged in the rescue efforts. An additional NDRF team was deployed on Wednesday, bringing the total to five, while a sixth SDRF team has been assigned to the city. These teams have been working tirelessly to evacuate people stranded in their homes and on rooftops.
The Health Minister, speaking on behalf of the government, reported that over 5,000 individuals have been evacuated and approximately 1,200 have been rescued thus far. The Vishwamitri River exceeded the danger threshold of 25 feet on Tuesday morning, following intense rainfall and the discharge of water from the Ajwa Dam. This escalation prompted an urgent review and coordination of rescue operations. The current crisis highlights the challenges faced by Vadodara’s emergency services as they attempt to manage the unprecedented flooding. The collaborative efforts of the Army, NDRF, and SDRF reflect the gravity of the situation and the city’s ongoing struggle to regain stability. As the situation develops, the focus will remain on ensuring the safety of affected residents and restoring normalcy to the flood-ravaged areas.
