Gandhinagar, July 23 : The state government on Thursday stepped up its response to heavy rainfall across South Gujarat by deploying senior ministers and top bureaucrats to the worst-affected districts, while the Valsad district administration ordered all factories and industrial units to remain closed for the day amid flood-like conditions.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel deputed Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel, and senior IAS officers Ramya Mohan and Alok Pandey to Surat, Valsad and Navsari to assist the local administration in managing the situation caused by the heavy rain.
The Chief Minister also directed the secretaries in charge of districts where the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall to immediately proceed to their respective districts and support relief and response operations.
Rescue and evacuation operations were continuing in villages in the Sanjan area of Umargam, while rescue teams were also deployed at Dhodiyawad in Dolvan taluka of Tapi district.
Meanwhile, the Valsad district administration announced that all factories and industrial units in the district would remain closed throughout July 23 in view of the continuing heavy rainfall and the flood-like situation.
In a statement, the administration said the decision had been taken by giving priority to the safety of workers and the larger public interest.
Factory managements and occupiers have been instructed to ensure that all workers are sent home safely.
The administration also directed that only the minimum staff required for essential and emergency services should remain on duty, with all necessary safety measures in place.
The district administration further instructed industrial units to take adequate precautions to secure hazardous chemicals, machinery, electrical systems and other critical equipment.
It also appealed to all concerned to strictly comply with directions issued by the district administration from time to time.
"The decision has been implemented with immediate effect, keeping in mind the safety of workers and the larger public interest," the Valsad district administration said.
-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
