Wednesday, August 2 2006 13:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Efforts to rescue 135 students and 18 officials stranded at a boarding school in Bharwada village in Kheda district resumed today (Aug 2, 2006) with boats from nearby Alang port being pressed into service even as the Sardar Sarovar dam started overflowing.

Sardar Sarovar, one of the biggest dams in the country, the height of which was recently increased to 119 meters started overflowing and more than 55,000 people staying along the banks of river Narmada have been evacuated to safer places.

Speaking about the rescue operations at Bharwada, Kheda district administration said they had asked the state administration for a 'big boat' to rescue the stranded children.

The boat has arrived from Alang port of Bhavnagar and administation has started operations to rescue the children and staff, Kheda resident deputy collector K K Bhalada told sources.

He said the administration is hopeful to rescue the stranded today.

The Sardar Sarovar dam is overflowing at the height of 119.11 meters, control room officials said.

"We have given warning to the villages on the bank of river Narmada in Bharuch district sources. Meanwhile, heavy rains were recorded in Bhanskanta taluka of North Gujarat in the last 24 hours ending 0800 hours, state flood control room official said. Moderate rains was also recorded in other districts of north Gujarat like Sabarkantha and Mehasana, officials said.