Surat floods: Gujarat govt launches large-scale relief and restoration drive

Surat, Jul 10 (PTI) The Gujarat government has launched a large-scale relief and restoration drive in Surat following widespread flooding after heavy rains, state officials said on Friday. In the 24-hour period ending Wednesday morning, Surat was battered by 358 mm of rainfall, which created a flood-like situation around creek areas of the city. "In response to the severe rainfall and flooding that affected Surat and surrounding areas, the Gujarat government, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has launched a large-scale relief and restoration drive on a war footing to restore normalcy in record time," an official release stated. Keeping in view the critical situation after the floodwaters receded, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi chaired an emergency high-level review meeting late on Thursday night at the Surat Collector's Office, the release said. The meeting was attended by all district coordination officers, senior officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation, and the district administration to review relief and rehabilitation work in detail, it added. "During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister prioritized three works. including rapid drainage of accumulated floodwater, intensive cleanliness and sanitation drives and protection of public health. He instructed officials to ensure all flood-affected shops, businesses, and normal public life are restored within the next 48 to 72 hours without any delay," the release noted. According to government, a door-to-door survey of approximately 9,100 families has been completed and over 800 affected families received assistance of Rs 6,800 each as household goods assistance and cash relief directly in person. Separate teams have been deployed to ensure all remaining eligible families receive this assistance by Friday night, the release stated. If any locality or housing society has been left out of the survey due to technical reasons, a special officer has been appointed at the Collector's Office, officials said. A dedicated helpline has been made operational. Upon receiving a call from citizens, survey teams will be dispatched immediately to conduct the assessment, they added. "Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the entire state administration, district authorities, and Surat Municipal Corporation are working day and night to ensure the safety and well-being of the people. Surat will soon recover and once again stand strong as one of the country's leading engines of economic growth," the release quoted Sanghavi as saying. PTI KVM PD BNM