Rains in Gujarat reveal updates: Army's joint rescue operation in Vadodara, death toll rises to 16 in rain-related incidents across the state

Gujarat Rain News Today Live Updates: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Red Alert' for several districts of Gujarat, predicting heavy to very heavy rains in the next five days.

Gujarat Weather Update, IMD Alert Live: Army-led rescue operation in Vadodara, 9 more dead, death toll rises to 16 in rain-related incidents Heavy rains wreak havoc in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured by dialing CM Bhupendra Patel. Help

What is the situation? More than 8,500 people have been evacuated and rescued from flood-hit areas as rains continued in parts of the state for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi expressed their concern and requested the central government to provide all necessary assistance.

What is the forecast for the coming days? The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a 'red alert' for several districts predicting heavy to very heavy rains in the next five days. Residents of affected areas, especially Saurashtra region, have been advised to avoid waterlogged areas and take precautions. Floods in Vadodara have disrupted power supply in some areas. The IMD has predicted thunderstorms and heavy rains in various districts underlining the severity of the weather conditions.

Ujarat Rain Live: Coast Guard rescues 13 fishermen from boat wreck in Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast

Amid heavy rains in Gujarat, the Indian Coast Guard rescued 13 fishermen aboard a boat in the Arabian Sea off the coast of the state's Devbhoomi Dwarka district, the maritime security agency said on Wednesday.

Acting on an SOS message from the owner of fishing boat 'Padmavati' on Tuesday, the ICG deployed their Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and a ship to rescue them, a statement said.

The vessel was about 15 km from Dwarka and the machinery broke down due to bad weather and adverse sea conditions along the coast, he said.

"The CG, as 'First Responder at Sea', immediately deployed an ALH helicopter to take stock of the situation. Meanwhile, despite inclement weather and extremely rough sea conditions, the ICG ship Abhik was diverted for rescue operations," it said. is

In a night-long operation, the ship towed the boat amid adverse weather conditions and reached Okha safely on Wednesday morning. All 13 crew members are safe, the statement said.