Floods in Saurashtra, caused due to unabated rains for the past four days, has claimed as many as 10 lives. The situation turned worse with thousands of people being trapped in water logged areas in the region.

Rains continued to lash in Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot and Bhavnagar districts in Saurashtra region and in Kutch, North Gujarat and South Gujarat for three days due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal. The meteorological department forecasted heavy rains for another 48 hours in the region. The Army and the Air-Force were pressed into service at several places as thousands were evacuated from Saurashtra to safer places. Food packets were delivered to those trapped in the floods.

The situation in Jamnagar was worst with several villages in Kalavad, Lalpur, Dhrol and other areas being cut off and Army has been dispatched to help those trapped by gushing waters.

With Ranjit Sagar Dam and Sasoi Dam in Jamnagar overflowing, 21 villages have been cut off completely from the rest of the state.

Massive evacuation was undertaken in Porbandar where three days of rain led to the overflowing of the Vartu and the Bhadar Dam.

Porbandar saw a rainfall of 20 inches in the past two days. Army was also summoned in Junagadh where Sutrapada, Kodinar, Talala and other areas were flooded with water.

Gujarat Urban Development Minister IK Jadeja who rushed to Verawal due to the worsening situation in the taluka, blamed the Central Railways accusing it of failing to construct enough drainage pipes in the Verawal-Somnath railway line that led to the flooding. Mr Jadeja announced a relief of Rs 40 lakh to the district administration.

7 killed in Bihar
Seven more persons were killed in flood-related incidents in Bihar, taking the toll to 108, even as major rivers were flowing above the danger mark. The seven deaths were reported in Madhubani (2), East Champaran (1), Khagaria (3), Begusarai (1) since Tuesday.