The death toll due to heavy rains earlier this week which created a flood-like situation in north Gujarat and Kutch has reached 40, including 14 deaths in the worst-affected Banaskantha district. "As per the reports received till today, at least 40 persons have lost lives in different parts. 14 deaths were reported in Banaskantha alone, while five deaths were reported in adjoining Patan district and four in Kutch," said state relief director Bipin Bhatt. Though the rains have stopped or let up for the last two days, many areas of north Gujarat remain inundated. The state government has deployed 16 teams of National Disaster Response Force for relief and rescue work in these areas.