New Delhi July 3
Amidst report of water levels were receding and limited restoration of traffic and rail services in affected areas, the Centre today reviewed relief and rescue operations in flood-ravaged Gujarat.
Meanwhile, 18 districts in Gujarat continued to witness heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours, where the death toll in floods has risen to 135.
The Central Disaster Management Secretary, Mr D. K. Shankaran, who reviewed the flood situation and relief and rescue operations in Gujarat at a meeting of high-level interministerial committee here today, held that Kheda Anand, Nadiad and pockets of Ahmedabad rural and Vadodara districts remained the worst hit.
According to the officials, rail transport had been revived on the Delhi- Mumbai route. Railway personnel were working round the clock to restore tracks and regular traffic.
Traffic on Express Highway had started in a limited way last evening. National Highway No. 6 and 8 had become operational for select vehicles while the National Highway 59 would be made operational for vehicular movement by this evening, officials said.
Nine Army columns had been deployed for rescue and relief works involving 700 personnel and 80 boats. Seven hundred and forty CRPF personnel were deployed in Nadiad, Kheda Anand and Ahmedabad rural.
Eight Air Force helicopters were operating from Ahmedabad and Vadodara carrying relief supplies to the people, officials said.
