8 killed, hundreds marooned as rains continue to batter Gujarat

EIGHT people died while hundreds were left stranded after swollen rivers and overflowing dams cut off several villages and inundated low-lying areas in many parts of Gujarat amid heavy rains on Wednesday, officials said.

- DILIP SINGH KSHATRIYA

The deaths were reported from Dwarka, Banaskantha, Kutch, and Rajkot districts, Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey said. "In the past 24 hours... unfortunately, 8 people have lost their lives due to lightning strikes and being swept away in lakes due to heavy downpour," he said, adding that the rain death toll in Gujarat has gone up to 61.

"The government is maintaining a close watch on the flood situation and has issued directives to ensure immediate assistance to the affected regions," Pandey said.