Rajkot: Surendranagar recorded the monsoon’s highest rainfall while adjoining Morbi district was also pounded by heavy rain that inundated roads, disrupted power supply, forced evacuations and claimed at least one life, while the search continued for a seven-year-old boy swept away in floodwaters.The worst-affected talukas were Dhrangadhra, Lakhtar, Wadhvan, Muli and Chuda in Surendranagar district, and Morbi city, Tankara, Halvad and Wankaner in Morbi district. Heavy rainfall submerged several roads, cut off villages and prompted district authorities to launch large-scale rescue operations.The rain turned fatal in Kotda Nayani village of Wankaner taluka, where a father and his seven-year-old son were swept away while travelling in a three-wheeler on an internal village road. According to officials, villagers had warned the driver not to proceed across the flooded stretch, but the vehicle attempted to cross the overflowing road. The body of 35-year-old Siran Kadhiyar was recovered during the search operation, while efforts to locate his son were continuing till late evening.Surendranagar collector G H Solanki said, “A total of 489 people have been evacuated and several others rescued after they were trapped in turbulent floodwaters. Twenty-eight panchayat roads and eight state highways have been closed due to waterlogging. The roads will be reopened after the water recedes.”Authorities released water from several overflowing dams as incessant rain swelled reservoirs and rivers. Ten gates of Nayka Dam in Muli taluka were opened to discharge around 20,000 cusecs of water. Vasal Dam and the district’s largest reservoir, Dholidhaja Dam, were also overflowing. Residents in low-lying areas downstream were warned to stay away from riverbanks and dam sites.In Chuda town, a blocked drainage channel clogged with garbage caused severe waterlogging. District officials cleared the obstruction during the downpour, restoring the natural flow of rainwater and reopening the affected road. Several electricity poles collapsed and trees were uprooted, disrupting power supply in many villages before restoration work began.A family of three, including an infant, was rescued after being stranded in the swollen river near Kerala village in Wadhvan taluka. The couple contacted the district administration after water levels rose suddenly, and a rescue team led by prant officer Mehul Bharvad, with assistance from the fire brigade, safely evacuated them.In Morbi, collector Swapnil Khare said 16 panchayat roads and two state highways were closed. Rescue teams evacuated 27 people from villages in Halvad taluka where floodwaters entered residential areas.
