Army on standby in rain-hit Rajasthan

Heavy rain threw normal life out of gear in Rajasthan, with flooded roads disrupting traffic and routine activities in the state.

Fear of floods in several districts has pushed the state government into action with Army choppers on standby to deal with any untoward situation.

“Several districts in the state, including Jaipur, has been receiving continuous rain since the last 24 hours. Two choppers,  one at Army base in Jaipur and another at Phalodi air force base have been put on standby for any emergency situation,” said Kunji Lal Meena, secretary relief and disaster management department. 

Situation is grim in Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer and Jaipur divisions, he added.

Meanwhile, the state government has issued instructions to all district collectors to monitor the situation and remain in constant touch with department of disaster management. Several districts have already been put on high alert.

In Jaipur, heavy rain was witnessed throughout the day.  People have been shifted from slums and low-lying areas following steady downpour since Thursday night.

“We are shifting people from some slum areas to safe places as precautionary measure. Two houses have collapsed, though no one is injured. There is water logging at several places,” said Krishan Kunal, district collector, Jaipur.

Taking precautionary measures, the district administration has deployed 20 mud pumps in low-lying areas and sandbags were sent to Madrampura, Girdharipur, Jawahar Nagar kachhi basti, Bhatta Basti and Sarna dungar.

“Teams of the district administration are working with municipal corporation and civil defence with proper coordination so that relief wherever needed could be provided,” said the district collector. Jaipur recorded 228 mm of rainfall till Saturday morning, he added.

Heavy rain continued throughout Saturday in Jaipur. Most schools in the city witnessed a very low turn out following which schools declared a half-day.

The Met department has predicted heavy rain in Jaipur and Ajmer divisions in the next 24 hours. However, places in western Rajasthan have received scanty rainfall.