15 trapped in flooded Kim River air-lifted, over 6,000 shifted in Navsari

SURAT: Except for Dang, rain abated in other south Gujarat districts on Monday, but shifting of thousands stranded in marooned villages continued in the worst-hit Navsari district and parts of Surat.
Fifteen people had to air-lifted by Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper as they got trapped in flood waters of Kim River in Kosadi and Lovara villages of Mangrol taluka. On Sunday, IAF had air-lifted 45 people stuck in prawn farms of Mendhar village of Navsari.
On Monday, 6,506 more people were shifted to safer places from various towns and villages of Navsari district as waters of Purna, Ambika and Kaveri rivers are flowing above the danger mark and causing heavy flooding. Around 1,000 people from 12 villages of Olpad and Mangrol talukas were also shifted. Local fire brigade and a team of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) rescued 74 people from low-lying areas of Navsari and Bilimora towns.
At least 12,500 people have been shifted in Navsari district alone since Sunday.
Three persons were swept away in raging waters in Surat and Tapi districts. In Palsana taluka of Surat, a man named Shailendra Patil was swept away along with his motorcycle on a bridge over a creek between Kareli and Dastan villages. His friend Sagar who was riding pillion managed to catch hold of a a tree’s branch and saved by locals. Patil was not traced till late night. Patil and his three friends were on way to Kareli on two bikes to see a new house purchased by a friend.
In another incident, 38-year old Vinod Chaudhary of Arkund village was dragged in gushing waters of Balpur causeway in Vyara taluka of Tapi on Sunday. Chaudhary was crossing the causeway on foot when his leg slipped in the strong water current.
In Mangrol taluka, a man named Bharat Rathod was missing after he got trapped in waters of Kim river in his native village Velacha on Monday. Rescue teams were searching for him till late night.
Navsari collector Dr MD Modiya said, “The heavy downpour in just four hours on Monday resulted in three main rivers flowing above danger mark. We have alerted 24 villages in Chikhli, Gandevi and Navsari talukas.
Waghai in Dang district was pounded by 275 mm rain in 12 hours ending 6pm on Monday. Hill station Saputara got 180 mm while Vansda in Navsari recorded 213 mm rain.