Thursday, August 10 2006 13:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: The fury of floods eased a little in Surat city after three consecutive days Thursday with the water level coming down and the railways partially restoring traffic on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai line.

Single-track movement of trains has been restored to Mumbai and a train left here at 7 a.m. for India's commercial capital, according to Divisional Railway Manager Arvind Khare.

"Traffic on the second track would become operational soon after necessary review," Khare said.

Rail movement between Ahmedabad and Mumbai was suspended Wednesday morning following inundation of Sayan railway bridge near Surat.

Khare said that the water level at the bridge on the Tapti river had come down allowing rail traffic.

However, a decision about allowing other trains would be taken later after reviewing the track condition.

Some trains were stopped at different stations while others were terminated in-between on Wednesday upon news of the tracks being flooded.

Flood control authorities expressed hope that the water level would come down in Surat following decrease in water outflow from the Ukai dam upstream.

"It might be possible to enter Surat city later today," said an official.

Roads heading towards the city have been inundated near Tapti river, cutting off the city from the rest of the world. The communication network and electricity has been cut off for the last three days adding to the problems of millions of Surat residents, who were perched on their rooftops and balconies waiting anxiously for the water level to recede.