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July 2015 Gujarat flood
Helicopter deployed by Indian Air Force for rescue
Date27–30 July 2015
Location Gujarat, India
DeathsAt least 72 [1]
Property damage20 billion government estimate [1]

Following heavy rain, Gujarat state of India was affected by the flood in July 2015. The flood resulted in at least 72 deaths. [1]

Background

The monsoon in Gujarat typically start in mid-June every year. Following deep depression in Arabian Sea, there was heavy rain in the June 2015 which resulted in flood in the state.

The deep depression over south-west Rajasthan and adjoining Gujarat resulted in heavy rain across north Gujarat and southern parts of Rajasthan. [2]

Flood

At least 72 people died in the flood; 40 in Banaskantha district, 6 in Patan district, 4 in Kutch district and others in other parts of the state.[1]

Over 81,609 cattle died in three districts; Banaskantha, Patan and Kutch. It included 42,609 were large cattle like cows and buffaloes, while 38,871 were small cattle, such as goats and sheep. The property worth ₹ ,2000 crore was completely damaged or washed away as per government estimate. The crops in about 2 lakh hectares failed.[1]

In three days, all talukas of Kutch and Banaskantha district recorded over 100 per cent of annual average rainfall. Some areas, like Suigam, recorded 510 per cent of the total annual average rainfall. In Mehsana district, as many as 585 villages lost the electricity supply. Several dams across Gujarat were flooded.[3]

Relief and rescue

Indian Air Force personnel disrtibuting relief material

Total 14 districts of the state and a population of about 4 million were affected. [3] The electricity supply was restored to more than 700 villages in four days. [4]

Three helicopter from Indian Air Force (IAF) and Border Security Force (BSF) were deployed for relief and rescue. A total of 28 relief teams, seven medical teams and seven Engineer Task Forces of the army was deployed. The 17 teams comprising 510 National Disaster Response Force and 180 BSF personnel were engaged in the relief and rescue. The seven columns of indian Army and 5 companies of State Reserve Police Force was deployed in affected areas. The army rescued more than 1,000 people. [5] [6] [7] [8] The army engineer task forces restored railway line connecting Jodhpur and Bhuj which had a daily traffic of 12 passenger and 45 goods trains. The line was damaged between Dhanera and Ramsan due to soil erosion. [9]

2.5 lakh cusecs of water was released into the Sabarmati river from the Dharoi dam due to income of large amount of water. More than 1500 people were evacuated living near Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad and adjoining districts. [10]

The Government of Gujarat announced the relief package. The compensation for soil erosion was declared 25,000 per hectare for small farmers while 50,000 for farmers having land more than two hectares. The maximal assistance was set at 60,000. For soil restoration, the government provided 5% interest subsidy for 1 lakh for small farmers and 2 lakh for big farmers. For crop damage, the assistance of 13,600 for minor crop and 18,000 for major crop up to one hectare land while for horticulture and banana, the assistance of 18,000 up to one hectare land was announced. For cattle deaths, the assistance of 180,000 for death of five cows or buffalo was announced. The small traders were assisted with 10,000 and shopowners with 35,000. For household damage, 7,000 were given as an assistance. [1] [11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Gujarat floods: 72 people dead, over 81,000 cattle perished due to heavy rains". Firstpost. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Monsoon unleashes mayhem in north Gujarat, 25 dead in state". Kashmir Monitor. 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Home Minister Rajnath Singh Discusses Floods With Gujarat, Manipur Chief Ministers". NDTV.com. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  4. ^ Parmar, Vijaysinh (30 July 2015). "Power supply restored in 500 flood-hit villages of Gujarat". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  5. ^ "Flood-like situation in parts of Gujarat, toll reaches 27". The Indian Express. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  6. ^ "Heavy rains trigger floods in Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Odisha; 81 dead". IBNLive. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  7. ^ IANS (2 August 2015). "Army Rescues 1,000 in Flood-hit Gujarat". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Heavy floods in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Army rescue operation on". IBNLive. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  9. ^ Kothari, Vishwas (3 August 2015). "Army engineers work on restoration of Jodhpur–Bhuj rail link". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Gujarat floods: More than 1,500 people evacuated after water level of Sabarmati rises dramatically – Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Flash flood: Govt announces Rs 300-crore relief package". The Indian Express. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.