The Gujarat Congress has urgently appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate relief amid severe flooding caused by heavy rains in the state. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil, who heads the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, detailed the extensive damage and suffering experienced by residents in several key regions including Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Morbi, and Kutch.
The letter describes the catastrophic impact of the rains, which have led to widespread flooding and significant damage to infrastructure and homes. The Congress has requested decisive intervention from the central government to address the crisis effectively.
In response to the disaster, the Central government has dispatched six Army columns to aid in relief and disaster management efforts. These military units are focused on assisting the local administrations in severely affected districts such as Devbhoomi Dwarka, Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Morbi, and Rajkot.
However, the Congress has emphasised the need for additional support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to manage the scale of the emergency more effectively.
The letter underscores the severe conditions faced by many cities and villages, highlighting issues such as overflowing sewage in urban areas, which poses significant health risks and could lead to disease outbreaks. Complaints have surfaced regarding the slow and insufficient delivery of relief, exacerbating the hardships faced by the affected population.
Railway services have been severely disrupted, with 56 trains cancelled in the Vadodara division of Western Railway due to severe waterlogging. The letter also draws attention to the substantial financial losses incurred by farmers, whose crops have been extensively damaged by the flooding. It stresses the urgent need for immediate cash relief for these farmers, noting delays in the disbursement of funds.
Particular concern is expressed about Kutch, where rescue operations are ongoing to locate individuals swept away by the floods. The letter mentions Bhupendra Rathod, who remains missing, and calls for prompt action to locate and assist such individuals.
The Congress has also urged the government to distribute stored fodder to livestock to support farmers whose animals are at risk. Additionally, restoring electricity in villages and reopening critical roads, including the route between Morbi and Kutch, are identified as immediate priorities.
Further, the letter addresses issues related to corruption in drainage projects, which have worsened the challenges faced by residents in urban areas. The Congress emphasises the need for special assistance for farmers and support for small businesses that have suffered due to the monsoon.
In closing, the letter appeals to Prime Minister Modi to take swift and generous action to support the ongoing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts, reminding him of his connections to Gujarat and the urgent need to aid the state’s people during this crisis.
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