354 people trapped in Gujarat train rescued
Floods force evacuation of 250,000, toll rises to 123
AP, AFP, New Delhi
Rescuers saved 354 train passengers trapped for two days in neck-deep water on flooded rail tracks in Gujarat, where heavy rains have forced the evacuation of nearly 2,00,000 people from their homes, police said on Saturday.At least 123 people have died and about 25 million have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in the western Indian state of Gujarat this week, a state official said yesterday. The Indore-Gandhinagar Shanti Express and its passengers were submerged on Thursday morning by floodwaters raging through parts of India, after a lengthy heat wave. "All the passengers have been saved by Army soldiers and local police," said Director-General of Police AK Bhargava. "All of them have been moved to safer places." The rescue was carried out late Friday and there were no casualties, he said. Large stretches of property near rivers, tributaries and dams in the state with a population of 50 million were under water with more than 900 villages cut off by flooding, said provincial revenue minister Kaushik Patel. At least 250,000 people have been evacuated because of heavy rains and flash floods in the state and the situation is likely to worsen with more rain forecast, federal Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters in New Delhi Friday. "We have to be prepared for the worst floods. Only after July 4 or 5 will there be a substantial fall in rainfall." A damage estimate was not immediately available, but federal Home Minister Shivraj Patil announced a five billion rupee (110 million dollar) aid package for Gujarat after an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Friday. "One hundred hours of rain in different parts of Gujarat has affected more than 70 percent of the state, 123 people died in various mishaps," state revenue minister Patel said. In all, some 4,577 villages and 31 urban centres in Gujarat were hit by power cuts as rains pounded the state non-stop for four days straight, Patel said. The 123 victims -- including both adults and children -- died as they were washed away by strong currents after dams overflowed, while others were crushed when portions of buildings collapsed or were buried in mudslides, officials said. Train services were delayed as the floods damaged rail tracks while some had to be cancelled, marooning hundreds of passengers on railway platforms.
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In this aerial view taken from a helicopter an Indian freight train lies half submerged by floodwaters in an unidentified location between Baroda and Ahmedabad yesterday. At least 123 people have died and about 25 million have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in the western Indian state of Gujarat this week. PHOTO: AFP |
