Gujarat rains: Water level of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam reaches 131 meters for first time

Incessant rainfall has thrown normal life out of gear in Gujarat. The state has so far received 61.55 per cent of its average annual rainfall, official data showed.

Over 21,000 people were shifted to safer places in south Gujarat region over the last few days.

Several areas in Surat, Valsad, Bharuch, Narmada and Dangs, in the southern part of the state, got heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday.

Manarola, Umerpada and Mandvi talukas of Surat have received heavy rains , according to data provided by the State Emergency Operation Centre.

Several low-lying villages have been flooded and National Disaster Response Force and Air Force teams are in the region for rescue and relief operations.

"As many as 21,086 people were shifted to safer places due to flooding in villages in seven south Gujarat districts, namely Surat, Tapi, Valsad, Bharuch, Navsari, Vadodara and Dangs. As many as 373 people were rescued," a state government release said.

As it happened:

5.30 pm: A crocodile was rescued by forest officials in Vadodara.

Gujarat: A crocodile was rescued by forest officials in Vadodara, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/0UMDgF2cyo ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2019

4 pm: Water level in the Ajwa Dam in the outskirts of Vadodara has risen due to heavy rainfall

2:30: Water level of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam reaches record level of 131 meters, first time after installing gates on the dam. 26 gates of the dam have been opened this morning in presence of CM Vijay Rupani at Dam site in Kevadia of Narmada district.

9:45 am: Meanwhile in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought the army's help and additional 13 more units of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the relief and rescue operations.

9:25: Bridge connecting Gora and Kevadiya submerges due to heavy rainfall in Gujarat due to overflowing Narmada river.

9:05 am: Floods in parts of Chhota Udepur as Heran river is overflowing due to incessant rains

Gujarat: Floods in parts of Chhota Udepur as Heran river is overflowing due to incessant rains. (8.8.19) pic.twitter.com/17PuoTs35q ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2019

9 am: Nearly 100 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and shifted to safer places in Barwani district where the Narmada river was flowing 5.62 metre above its danger mark in the catchment area of the Sardar Sarovar Dam located in adjoining Gujarat

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