The flood situation in Surat has improved slightly since Wednesday night, following reduction in discharge of water from Ukai dam into river Tapti, but half of the city continues to remain submerged, officials said on Thursday.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images] is on an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of south Gujarat, while the army and district administration have intensified relief and rescue operations. Rail and road traffic has also been restored. 

Officials expect the outflow from the dam to further reduce by Thursday evening.

"The situation is improving as the waters have started receding due to a lesser release of water from Ukai dam and completion of high tide in the sea. We are engaged in resecue and relief operations," district collector Vatsala Vasudevan told PTI.

"The inflow of the Ukai dam is 5.94 lakh cusecs and the outflow is 6.50 lakh cusecs. As the water in the dam has crossed danger level of 345 ft, the release of water is higher than the inflow. But the administration is considering of bringing the outflow below six lakh cusecs which is likely to ease the situation," a flood control room source said.

However, control room officials said, "Although 50 percent of Surat is under water, it will recede as quickly as it had entered the city."