Vadodara: Seven bodies surfaced in different parts of the city since Wednesday as flood waters started receding, gradually uncovering the trail of destruction caused by four days of monsoon fury. While two bodies were found on Wednesday, and five were recovered on Thursday. According to Vadodara district collector Bijal Shah, autopsies will be performed on the bodies to ascertain the cause of death.
Sources said that the bodies included two found near the Squirrel Circle in Kalali and one each near the old fast track court on Jail Road, Khaswadi and Akota areas. Barodians heaved a sigh of relief as the Vishwamitri River level fell below 32 feet, after which bridges over it were opened to traffic. The authorities said the situation will improve in the next couple of days as the river recedes below the danger mark.
The city is limping back to normal with many corporate offices starting to function on Thursday, while shops in the walled city opened after three days. As the waters receded from roads, the civic body began a sanitation operation to prevent an outbreak of disease. However, hundreds of citizens are still stuck in their homes due to extreme waterlogging in Sama, Vadsar, Manjalpur and a few other areas.
Many flooded areas are yet to get power supply back as Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL) shut some feeders and transformers as a precaution. “Water has subsided from our home, but the colony road is still flooded. We are finding it tough to get enough food and milk.
There is no electricity,” said Ruchita Bhatt, a resident of Manjalpur. Arvind Khopkar, a resident of Casa Residency in Vadsar, said, “Our apartment was completely marooned as the Vishwamitri water flooded the road outside our colony. NDRF personnel had to rescue us in boats.
The nala across the road is flooded and we cannot go back home.” Ujwa Makhija, a businessman, said, "The basement of the commercial complex in Fatehgunj where i have my office is completely flooded. The building is not accessible.
These floods are a manmade disaster. Who is going to pay compensation to us for our losses? NDRF and the fire brigade continued rescue and relief operations on Thursday. The authorities said they shifted 4,300-odd people to safer places in the last three days.
An Army team rescued 47 residents of Samrajya Complex near Muj Mahuda late on Wednesday night. Roads in many areas are still strewn with waste and fallen trees..
