MHA deploys inter-ministerial team to assess Gujarat flood damage, death toll at 47 – Times of India



NEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has formed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to evaluate the damage caused by heavy rainfall and floods in Gujarat, according to a statement released by the ministry on Sunday.
The IMCT, headed by the executive director of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), will soon visit the flood-affected districts in the state.
From August 25 to 30, Gujarat experienced severe to extremely heavy rainfall due to a deep depression that formed over Rajasthan and Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were also impacted by heavy to very heavy rainfall. Additionally, Himachal Pradesh has been affected by multiple spells of heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides this year.
The MHA is in contact with senior officials from these states and will send IMCTs to assess the damage if the states report severe damages. During the current monsoon season, several other states have also been affected by heavy rainfall, floods, cloudbursts, and landslides.
The statement highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Central government is fully committed to providing all possible assistance to the affected states.
Following a decision made by Union home minister Amit Shah in August 2019, the MHA has proactively deployed IMCTs to assess the damage caused by floods and landslides in Assam, Kerala, Mizoram, and Tripura this year, without waiting for the states’ memoranda. An IMCT has also been formed for Nagaland, which will soon visit the affected areas.
Gujarat is preparing for another spell of intense rainfall despite a brief break from the heavy downpours. The official death toll from the five days of torrential rain until August 29 has reached 47.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that a depression originating in the Bay of Bengal is moving towards Gujarat and Maharashtra, which is expected to bring “heavy to extremely heavy rainfall” in various regions of Gujarat, including Saurashtra, central Gujarat, and south Gujarat, until September 5.
Among the districts affected by the recent rainfall, Jamnagar reported the highest number of fatalities, with seven deaths recorded between August 25 and August 29. Ahmedabad and Anand districts followed closely, each reporting six deaths during the same period. The state authorities remain vigilant and are taking necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the anticipated heavy rainfall in the coming days.





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