Over 600 volunteers of SEWA Bharati, the Indian branch of Sewa International from UK have rushed to carry out rescue & relief operations from different parts of Gujarat, to the flood affected district of SURAT and adjoining areas. As per the latest updates signs of water receding from the innundated areas have been witnessed but over half of Surat is still submerged and innundated with flood water.

Surat, the industrial city in Gujarat with more than 3.5 million people, is facing an unprecedented natural disaster and still remains marooned after water from the raging Tapti river flooded it.

More than seven hundred thousand people are marooned on terraces and on high grounds are desperately waiting for help.

There are shortages of drinking water and food. The transport system between Ahmedabad and Surat has virtually snapped because of the floods.

Water levels have reached 15-20 feet in many areas and locals fear that many more people may have drowned in the flood waters.

The collector office in Surat is submerged under 12 feet of water, and a temporary control room which was set up is also not functioning. The administration machinery has come to a standstill due to flooding in all government buildings.

Officials say the situation in some other parts of Gujarat is far more worrisome.

Hundreds of workers of non-governmental organisations are ready to help and are waiting for the waters to recede. More than 2,000 medical fully-equipped workers will reach Surat by Thursday. The staff from the Ahmedabad and Rajkot municipal corporations will also be called to serve in Surat.

Losses could run into billions of rupees because Surat has giant textile godowns and factories where water levels have reached more than 12 feet. The textiles and yarns if soaked will be written off.

Gujarat government officials say that real picture of the disaster and the human tragedy will be only known only after a few days.

Tilll date the volunteers of Sewa Bharati (partner organisation of Sewa International UK) have distributed 80,000 food packets, 4,500 milk sachets, 1,11,000 water sachets in the flood affected areas. Relief centres at four places in Surat have been started to meet to the needs of the people & attend to the victims without delay.

Relief materials have been given to 5225 people till now. Apart from this , temporary shelter & food have been provided to the people of slum in Sishu Mandir - Udhna; Vrindavan Hall and Uma Bhawan.

Truck loads of relief materials have been despatched today from Sewa Bharti's headquarter at Ahmedabad for Surat carrying 4,500 kg of Sukhri (dry food), 5,500 kg of salted edible materials, 6,000 packets of biscuits, 2000 kg puris, 10,000 water sachets, 100 kg Pickles, 900 packets candles, 600 packets Match boxes and 165 bundles of ropes. 50 centres at Ahmedabad are busy preparing food packets under the supervision of SEWA volunteers.