Gujarat CM visits Banaskantha’s flood-hit villages

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday visited rain-affected areas of Banaskantha district, including Nagla Khanpur village, to assess the situation and review ongoing relief operations.According to information, CM Patel began his visit in Suigam, one of the worst-hit regions, where he interacted with flood-affected citizens sheltered at the Suigam Community Health Centre relief camp. He enquired about the facilities provided, the extent of losses suffered, and assured residents that the government stood firmly with them during the crisis.The Chief Minister also inspected inundated areas of Sui village and the Jalotra sub-station, both of which had been severely impacted by continuous rainfall. 
Later in the evening, he travelled to Nagla and Khanpur villages in Tharad taluka, where he met affected citizens and provided guidance on draining accumulated floodwater.CM stayed overnight at Vav in Banaskantha district, where he engaged directly with villagers to better understand the prevailing conditions. At the Suigam Sub-Divisional Office, he chaired a high-level review meeting attended by Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, District In-charge Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, MLAs Swaroopji Thakor, Aniket Thakar, and Pravin Mali, former MLA Shashikant Pandya, senior officials, and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister M K Das.
During the meeting, CM Patel directed officials to prioritise restoring road connectivity in Suigam and other border villages. He also underscored the importance of developing long-term flood mitigation strategies to prevent the recurrence of such disasters.Banaskantha District Collector Mihir Patel presented detailed figures, stating that 296 villages across 3,416 sq. km in Suigam, Vav, Tharad, and Bhabhar talukas had been affected by heavy rainfall. Rescue operations have so far saved 228 people, while over 6,800 citizens have been relocated to safer areas. Two NDRF teams and three SDRF teams have been deployed to assist the district administration.

(State Correspondent)