Huge swathes of Vadodara have flooded after heavy rains in the central Gujarat region resulted in the level of Vishwamitri river rising menacingly last night. The river's water level was 29.6 feet and may cross 30 feet tonight if the rains continue, according to weather bureau reports.

While the entire region was lashed by heavy rains, the situation was particularly grim in Vadodara city where over 1,000 people were shifted to safer locations in the city.

Chief minister Anandiben Patel also rushed to the city to take a stock of the situation and preparedness of the administration to tackle any eventuality. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army have been kept on standby to deal with the flood situation in the city.

The release of water from the Ajwa reservoir since Monday evening had lead to a steady rise in the level of Vishwamitri. The level in Ajwa reduced to 214.4 feet by around 8.30pm. But the discharge resulted in Vishwamitri rising quickly and water inundating areas like Sayajigunj, Sanjaynagar in Sama, Kamatipura and Kalyannagar in Fatehgunj as well as parts of Kalali and Atladara.

Over 7,150 persons were shifted to safer locations in three talukas of Vadodara district on Tuesday.