Two-Storey Building Collapses In Rain-Ravished Junagadh In Gujarat, Many Feared Trapped

The building, comprising shops and residential units, collapsed in the Kadiawad locality.

Many people were feared trapped after a two-storey building collapsed in Gujarat's Junagadh. ( Image Source :Twitter/ANI )

New Delhi: Four people died and several others were feared trapped after a two-storey building collapsed in Gujarat's Junagadh on Monday afternoon. The building, comprising shops and residential units, collapsed in the Kadiawad locality.

According to the officials, the rescue operation is currently underway by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local fire and police personnel.

"Four bodies have been recovered so far from the rubble. The search and rescue operation is underway. We cannot say how many people are feared trapped in the debris," Inspector Nirav Shah of A Division police station said, reported PTI.

The four bodies were taken out from the debris after an effort of five hours, Shah said.

#WATCH | Gujarat | A two-storeyed building collapsed in Junagadh. Several feared trapped. Further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/nxVeU0njSn

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

The local authorities have not yet provided an official figure, but it is possible that around five to six people could still be trapped under the rubble.

Bulldozers were also engaged to remove the debris and ambulances were kept on standby at the site, the officials said.

Meanwhile, this incident took place just a couple of days after the city was battered by torrential rains. 

The Junagarh city recorded 241 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours till 8 pm on Saturday as dozens of parked cars and cattle were swept away in gushing waters, reported PTI.

People were seen wading through waist-deep water to shift to safer places. Some of them were rescued by volunteers as they were carried away in strong currents.

The Gujarat government said low-lying areas were flooded due to rains in Junagadh district. At least 250 people evacuated to safer places in an operation by Saturday evening.

Two companies of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) were deployed in Junagadh and a third company was also being dispatched. SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) also allocated two teams, along with five fire response teams of Rajkot municipal corporation and its adjoining Gondal municipality to carry out rescue operations.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel cut short his official programmes in Rajkot and reached the district collector's office to review the situation in Junagadh.