Gujarat flood toll rises to 144

The death toll in the current flood-related incidents in Gujarat rose to 144 with 43 more deaths reported on Friday.

Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela said thousands of people were marooned following a breach in the Kharikat canal in eastern Ahmedabad. He said the situation in Viratnagar and Muthia villages was grim, where people were being evacuated. Army boats have been pressed into service to rescue the affected people.

Vaghela said two army columns have been deployed in North Gujarat's Mehsana district to assist the civil authorities in rescue operations. About 29,000 food packets were distributed in the district.

The chief minister said an estimated 100,000 people were marooned in Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Surendranagar districts and in Ahmedabad. He said the relief and rehabilitation operation will commence on Saturday if the rain stopped.

Vaghela said seven air force helicopters have been kept on standby for the rescue operation. Revenue Minister Atmaram Patel and Energy Minister Vipul Chaudhary made an aerial survey of the marooned villages in Mehsana district.

UNI