Surat, Aug 1 (IANS) The Indian Army rescued 34 people and distributed relief material to more than 400 residents after deploying flood relief columns to Kadodara village in Surat district, as heavy rainfall continued to affect several parts of Gujarat and prompted large-scale rescue, healthcare and emergency response operations, officials said on Saturday.
Flood relief teams from the Indian Army’s Southern Command were deployed in coordination with the civil administration following incessant rain and flooding in Kadodara.
According to officials, the teams rescued 34 civilians, shifted affected families to safer locations and supplied essential relief material to more than 400 people.
Equipped with boats and life-saving equipment, the Army personnel remained deployed in the affected area and prepared to respond to any further emergencies.
The Indian Army said its personnel continued to provide critical assistance during the flooding, reflecting its motto, “Service Before Self”.
As the weather situation remained severe, authorities in Narmada district launched “Operation Safe Delivery” to ensure pregnant women in vulnerable areas received timely medical care.
Between July 30 and August 1, health teams surveyed 142 pregnant women whose expected delivery dates fell on or before August 15 in areas likely to be affected by flooding.
Of these, 101 women were shifted to health centres as a precaution. The advance planning resulted in the successful delivery of 25 babies.
District Reproductive and Child Health Officer, Jankhana Vasava, said the deliveries included six each in Garudeshwar and Nandod talukas, five in Chikda, four in Sagbara, three in Tilakwada and one in Dediapada.
“All 25 mothers and their newborn babies were healthy and safe,” she added.
Emergency medical services also remained under pressure in Vadodara district, where the 108 Emergency Ambulance Service handled more than 730 emergency cases over the past three days despite adverse weather.
Officials said the cases included 131 involving pregnant women, 84 road accidents, 60 respiratory emergencies, 55 cardiac emergencies and several other medical cases requiring immediate attention.
In Surendranagar district, rescue teams evacuated three members of the same family — a man, a woman and a young child — after they became trapped in floodwaters in Kerala village of Wadhwan taluka.
Fire Brigade personnel carried out the rescue operation and shifted them to a safe location.
In Bharuch district, officials remained deployed across affected areas, coordinating relief and rescue operations through the district control room.
The administration said that drainage, evacuation and road clearance work was continuing on a war footing in several talukas and urged residents to avoid rumours, remain vigilant and follow official advisories.
Meanwhile, the state government postponed the statewide cleanliness campaign that had been scheduled for Sunday, due to the forecast of heavy rainfall.
Government Spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani said: “The campaign, launched on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as a monthly voluntary cleanliness drive, will now be held on August 9.”
–IANS
mys/khz
