Junagadh district collector Pankaj Joshi has declared a red alert throughout the district as heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast in the coastal areas of the district for the next 24 hours.

The coastal cities of Mangrol, Veraval and Kodinar in Junagadh district received heavy rainfall yesterday. Reports reaching here said Mangrol town recorded 21 inches (425 mm) of rainfall and the downpour was continuing when reports were last received. All roads have been rendered inaccessible; the Keshod-Mangrol and Chorwad-Mangrol roads were under three feet of water.

Joshi has ordered immediate rescue operations and more than 1000 persons have already been evacuated from the low-lying areas ofthe city. A platoon of State Resercve Police (SRP) has been deputed at Mangrol under top-level supervision.

Heavy rainfall was also reported from Veraval (16 inches) and Kodinar (13 inches) in the past 24 hours. Other areas of the district to receive heavy rainfall are Keshod (6 inches), Mendarad (6 inches) and Junagadh, Vanthali and Sutrapada (4 inches each).

In Veraval, the low-lying Hutoo Colony and Harthan were under three feet of water and residents were shifted to safer places. Authorities also began shifting people from Chorwad port.

Late-night reports said the Hiran-2 dam near Talala taluka had begun overflowing at a height of 71.26 feet. The dam outlets have been opened as a precautionary measure and people of 17 low-lying villages have been asked to move out.

In Amreli district, a battered Savarkundla recorded eight inches of rain. A report said three persons were swept away in a river and yet to be traced. Flood waters from Navli river entered the Bazar area of the town and shops andestablishedments downed shutters.