** Floods in Gujarat **

NEW DELHI: Lakhs of people were marooned as river Tapi burst its banks and flooded large parts of Surat in Gujarat on Tuesday. The situation was precarious by evening, with almost 10 feet of water in some areas, and was likely to turn worse by night with another 10 lakh cusecs of water being released from the Ukai dam.

More than 1.90 lakh people were evacuated from different parts of south Gujarat, as major rivers flowed above the danger mark. Officials in Surat admitted that if the water level does touch 25 feet in the night, as was suspected, they could be looking at a much higher toll of human lives. So far six people have lost their lives.

Rescue operations were hampered by the swirling waters of Tapi and the administration as well as the residents, who went without power supply and were perched on higher floors of buildings, were gripped by a feeling of dread over the warnings of the water level rising further.

At least 70% of the city was under water with Adajan area under 10 feet of water. Surat municipal commissioner Pankaj Joshi said, "Residents in low-lying areas must move to higher floors." Joshi and his team were stuck at Varaccha since Monday, with the approach road to their office completely inundated.

Officials in Gandhinagar said, "The peak flooding in Surat may reach 25 feet by Wednesday. The situation may worsen because Wednesday, a full-moon night, would experience high tide, resisting the Tapi waters released from Ukai to reach the sea."

Gujarat revenue minister Kaushik Patel said: "We advise people not to move out of their residence houses." The Army rescued more than 2,000 people and air-lifted 20 till Tuesday. "The Air Force is operating four MI-17 helicopters in Surat," said Wing Commander T K Singha, defence PRO.

Children look at their school which was submerged by floodwaters in Gujarat. (PTI) Army men helping people reach safer places in Surat. Over 130 persons have died in the rain-related accidents. Water going over the bridge