Gujarat: Ahmedabad deploys 24 teams at 20 waterlogged locations as seasonal rainfall reaches 18.53 inches

Ahmedabad, July 25 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) continued round-the-clock drainage operations across the city on Saturday after heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in several areas, with officials reporting that 24 teams were deployed at 20 locations across 10 wards to accelerate the removal of accumulated rainwater.

According to the AMC’s status report as of 6:00 a.m. on July 25, the civic body had opened 141 catchpits and 85 manholes across the city to improve stormwater drainage.

The operations covered waterlogged locations in the East, West, North-West and South-West zones, while no waterlogging incidents were reported in the South Zone.

The East Zone recorded the highest number of affected locations, with waterlogging reported at six sites across four wards.

AMC deployed a team of six personnel in the zone and opened 59 catchpits and 25 manholes to facilitate the rapid discharge of rainwater. Although the South Zone did not report any waterlogging, three personnel remained deployed as a precaution.

The civic body kept 20 catchpits and 13 manholes open to ensure drainage arrangements were ready if required. In the West Zone, water accumulated at five locations across three wards.

A team of six personnel opened seven catchpits and two manholes to assist drainage operations. AMC also said that five pump sites at Chandlodia Lake had been withdrawn after the water level receded, while pumping operations continued at other locations.

Counter pumps were also deployed at private premises to remove accumulated water and help restore normal conditions.

The North-West Zone reported waterlogging at seven locations across two wards. Seven personnel were deployed there, with 46 catchpits and 36 manholes opened to improve water flow.

In the South-West Zone, two waterlogged locations in one ward were attended by a two-member team, which opened nine catchpits and nine manholes to speed up drainage.

“We are continuously monitoring conditions across the city and remain on alert, using field teams, catchpit and manhole operations and pumping arrangements to ensure the swift removal of rainwater and provide immediate relief to residents,” officials said.

Rainfall data released by AMC showed the city’s cumulative average seasonal rainfall had reached 470.64 mm (18.53 inches). Among the zones, the South-West recorded the highest average seasonal rainfall at 622.64 mm, followed by the North-West at 583.43 mm, the Central Zone at 494.88 mm, the West Zone at 493.00 mm, the North Zone at 390.20 mm, the South Zone at 388.75 mm, and the East Zone at 321.38 mm.

The highest cumulative rainfall recorded at an individual rain gauge station was 684.50 mm at Sarkhej Urban Health, followed by 677.00 mm at Sarkhej and 669.50 mm at Bopal.

Other stations reporting high cumulative totals included Bodakdev (613.00 mm), Thaltej (607.50 mm), Jodhpur (585.50 mm), Science City (626.50 mm), Vasna (532.00 mm), Ranip (530.00 mm), Municipal Corporation (514.50 mm) and Kalupur (517.50 mm).

The rainfall report also stated that the city’s total cumulative rainfall stood at 3,294.27 mm, with 5.15 mm of rainfall recorded during the latest reporting period.

AMC’s barrage update showed the Vasna Barrage water level at 37.576 ft, with a discharge of 12,325 cusecs and canal discharge of 2,588 cusecs.

Officials said 22 barrage gates were open under free-flow conditions.

–IANS

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