Wednesday, June 29 2005 13:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: The death toll due to heavy rains and flooding in Gujarat has mounted to 30, official sources said today (Jun 29, 2005).

Five rivers in south Gujarat were flowing above the danger mark following heavy rains lashing the State for the past four days and the authorities have evacuated more than 15,000 people from the coastal areas, while the death toll due to rains in the State has mounted to 30, sources said in Ahmedabad.

The district authorities have issued flood alert in Navsari, Valsad, Surat and Dang districts and several people in flood-prone areas have been evacuated while the Army has been put on stand by.

The rivers, which are flowing above the danger mark are Auranga, Wanki, Ambika, Kaveri and Kharera river in Valsad district of Gujarat.

The Water Resource Minister Narottam Patel, who is camping in Valsad to take stock of the situation, told sources that the flood situation in the State was serious.

However, the Government has geared its machinery to meet any eventuality and has pressed Disaster Management Team into service, he added.

He said he was holding a high-level meeting to tackle the flood situation in different parts of the State.

The highest and incessant rainfall has occurred in Dharampur town in Valsad district has been receiving incessant rains, registering highest rainfall this monsoon.