Viral Video: Gujarat Rains Cause Havoc, 35 Dead, Vadodara Road Cracks

In Gujarat's Vadodara, a road leading to the iconic Statue of Liberty has cracked into pieces as relentless rains continue to batter the region. The heavy downpour, coupled with the release of water from a nearby dam, is suspected to have caused the damage, forcing authorities to close one side of the road to traffic. Repair work is underway, but full restoration could take months as the damaged section needs to be demolished and rebuilt.

Videos of the incident, showing large chunks of concrete displaced, have gone viral on social media.

Here is the video below:

The road leading to the Statue of Unity from Vadodara is into pieces. pic.twitter.com/06DvOJPks2

— Our Vadodara (@ourvadodara) August 28, 2024

The heavy rains have also led to widespread devastation across the state, claiming 35 lives in districts such as Rajkot, Anand, and Ahmedabad. Over 17,800 people have been evacuated to safer areas. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for 11 districts, including Kutch and Saurashtra regions, as more rain is expected.

Despite a brief pause in the rainfall, Vadodara continues to struggle with flooding, particularly in low-lying areas as the Vishwamitri river breached its banks, inundating homes, roads, and vehicles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Chief Minister Bhupender Patel, offering full support from the Centre in managing the ongoing crisis.