CM reviews rain-hit districts, deploys army

Gandhinagar: Chief minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday reviewed the relief and rescue operations being undertaken in various districts that have been affected due to incessant rain over the past days. He also held a video conference with field officers of the affected districts.An official statement said that six army columns have been deployed for relief and rescue operations in Devbhumi Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi and Rajkot districts. Besides, 14 NDRF and 22 SDRF platoons have also been deployed in different districts.As of Tuesday evening, 23,871 persons had been shifted to safer places from low-lying areas, while 1,696 persons were rescued from different districts. The CM appealed to citizens to exercise caution. The statement said that the govt has initiated proceedings to grant compensation to those who have lost their lives in rain-related incidences.Electricity supply in 8,828 villages was affected, but it was restored in 7,806 villages by Tuesday evening. Of the 6,615 electric poles damaged in the rain, 6,033 poles were erected again. Until Tuesday evening, there were 806 instances of roads being damaged. The roads and buildings department has been asked to initiate repairs of these damaged roads at the earliest.The govt said that in view of the forecast provided by the meteorological department, fishermen have been directed not to venture out into the sea until Aug 30.