Heavy rain drowns large parts of Gujarat, Indian Navy joins rescue efforts

The Indian Navy has joined the rescue and relief efforts in Gujarat where incessant rain and flooding have inundated large parts of the state.

As per a statement released by the Indian Navy, a naval HADR team, consisting of naval divers with support gears, was dispatched from INS Sardar to Rajkot on civil administration's request for assistance.

The team, dispatched on Sunday evening, will report to district authorities at Rajkot and join rescue efforts as required. Six more teams are ready for the rescue operations.

"In last 24 hours, the city received 13 inches of rainfall and there is high rainfall warning for tomorrow also. Around 1,400 people shifted to shelters and over 300 people were rescued as many areas got waterlogging. No casualties reported so far," said Amit Arora, Commissioner of Rajkot Municipal Corporation.

The Navy personnel have meanwhile rescued number of locals, including pregnant women and elderly persons and shifted them to shelters using boats. The naval teams are also providing fresh meals and dry ration to the stranded locals. A defence release said 24 people were airlifted by Air Force choppers in Jamnagar.

Meanwhile, The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Red alert for Wednesday for several places of Saurashtra.