Over 850 families in Veraval and Mangrol talukas of Junagadh were shifted to safer and higher places following incessant rains for the past couple of days,district officials said on Thursday. Relief camps have been set up for the displaced families where food packets and other necessary items were being distributed,they said,adding that water in many parts of Mangrol and Veraval have started receding since today morning. "Four hundred families in Veraval taluka were shifted to higher grounds last night following heavy rains. In Mangrol over 480 families have been shifted till today," district officials said. The Army has been on the stand by since yesterday in Junagadh district. Till 0800 hours today,Junagadh district received 216 mm rainfall,Mangrol recorded 614 mm rainfall,while Veraval received 514mm,Malia 423mm and Sutrapada 322mm. According to district officials,two inter-city trains Veraval-Rajkot and Veraval-Ahmedabad and Jabalpur-bound Veraval-Jabalpur trains were cancelled as water at many places was flowing above the road,they said. The district officials said that banking service in the district has also been affected. Meanwhile,the Weather Department has predicted moderate to heavy rains with thundershowers at most places in the state during the next 48 hours. Officials at the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said,"Heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur at few places over Gujarat with isolated extremely heavy falls over Saurashtra,south Gujarat region,Daman and Diu,Dadra Nagar Haveli during next 48 hours." They said monsoon was vigorous over Saurashtra and Kutch and active over most other parts of Gujarat. "Yesterday's off-shore trough on the sea extending from south Gujarat coast to Kerala coast persisted today along with the upper air cyclonic circulation over Gujarat region," IMD officials said. Warnings have also been issued to the port and fishermen in the coastal regions. "Due to vigorous monsoon conditions,squally weather is likely to prevail on Gujarat coast," IMD officials said. They have also advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours as the condition were very rough there with winds blowing at 45-55 kmph from South Westernly direction.
