Gujarat schools to remain shut amid heavy rains

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], August 26 : As heavy rain continues across Gujarat, all primary schools in the state will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, according to State Education Minister Praful Pansheriya.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted that Gujarat would experience heavy to extremely heavy rain over the next 2-3 days.
The state has been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past two days, leading to parts of Gujarat being inundated and displacing hundreds of residents to safer locations.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has conducted relief and rescue operations in Valsad, where heavy rains have caused flood-like situations.
The NDRF team rescued a pregnant woman in Valsad.
"The water level increased in the morning, causing water to enter the Hanuman Bhagda and Valsad area, disrupting road connectivity. We rescued a pregnant woman and are distributing food and relief material," NDRF inspector Ramesh Kumar told ANI.
Meanwhile, the water level of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada has risen due to continuous rains, officials said.
The state's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high-level meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar on Monday to assess the impact of the heavy rains.
The Chief Minister arrived at the State Emergency Operation Center on Monday afternoon and held a video conference with collectors, municipal commissioners, and district officials of the rain-affected districts to gather pertinent details.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Patel urged for the safe evacuation of people from low-lying areas. He instructed District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners that the government's first priority should be to prevent the loss of life and livestock.
"He instructed the Collectors that special vigilance should be taken to ensure that no one crosses or enters river channels or roads when rainwater is flowing dangerously. If necessary, police should be deployed to enforce this strictly," according to a press release.
He also emphasised the priority of rescuing people trapped in water and received updates on evacuation operations.
"So far, 17,827 people have been evacuated, and 1,653 people have been rescued in the state. Thirteen NDRF teams and twenty-two SDRF teams have been deployed in the affected districts, assisting in rescue and relief operations," the release stated.
CM Patel also received updates on the heavy and widespread rainfall across the state in the last 24 hours. Rainfall has been recorded in 244 talukas across 33 districts, with an average of 63.36 mm of rain during this period.