In the early hours of the night, at 2:30 AM, a sudden lightning strike caused a devastating fire in Gaidetha village, located in the Thadgam group gram panchayat of Kavant Taluka. Five houses made of mud were completely burnt to ashes. Fortunately, there were no injuries to people or animals reported. The incident was reported to the Kavant Taluka Panchayat by the village’s Talati cum Minister.
The houses that were destroyed belonged to Rathwa Rameshbhai, Rathwa Kamleshbhai, Rathwa Ishwarbhai, Rathwa Kanchanbhai, and Rathwa Shaileshbhai. The Sarpanch of Thadgam village, Rathwa Gamla Bhai, arrived at the scene shortly after the lightning strike. The fire department was informed, and firefighters arrived during the night. However, the fire spread quickly, and all five houses were engulfed in flames before they could be saved.
Kavant Taluka is one of the most backward areas in Gujarat, situated at the junction of three states: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. It includes a total of 133 villages. Unfortunately, Kavant does not have fire safety facilities. As a result, in case of emergencies, firefighters have to be called from Chhota Udaipur, which takes time. By the time they arrive, significant damage often occurs.
After the reorganization of Chhota Udaipur district, there was hope that Kavant Taluka would receive priority for development, including fire safety services. However, as of today, no such facilities have been provided. This lack of infrastructure means that accidental fires cannot be controlled quickly.
The residents of Gaidetha village are devastated by the loss of their homes. The Kavant Taluka Development Officer has notified the disaster branch of the Chhota Udaipur Mamlatdar in writing about the incident. The emotional toll on the affected families is immense, as they are left with nothing after the sudden fire.
The people in Kavant Taluka rely on agriculture and animal husbandry for their livelihoods. Gaidetha village primarily cultivates crops like maize, tuvar, and various vegetables. The village has basic facilities like a primary school, a panchayat house, an anganwadi, and a dairy. Most residents belong to the tribal community and live in a hilly region.
As the community mourns their loss, there is a growing call for better fire safety measures and disaster preparedness in this vulnerable area. Local leaders and residents hope that the government will take notice and provide the necessary services to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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