An alert has been sounded in Gujarat after heavy rains across the state led to the deaths of 15 people on Friday.

Twenty-two of the 25 districts of the state were lashed by heavy rain yesterday. People could not reach their offices and schools and colleges remained shut.

Roads were flooded in Ahmedabad resulting in heavy traffic jams. The government has been told to keep the relief and rescue machinery ready.

"Since yesterday there have been heavy rains in Gujarat. Fifteen deaths have been reported and 6,000 people have been evacuated from Baroda," said D A Satya, director for relief and rescue operations.

People from many villages in Vadodra, Surat, Panchmahal, Bhavnagar and Bharuch have been evacuated. The flood relief department says most deaths were reported from Surat and Navsari.

Road and rail transport has been affected. Traffic had to be stopped as trees have fallen on some roads and many trains going to Mumbai were halted.

The Met department says heavy rains will continue over the next few days, especially in Saurashtra and Kutch.

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