Carved in the Heart: Even after 47 years of the Machhu flood disaster in Morbi, this wound will never heal

Today marks 47 years since the Machhu water disaster, which can never be healed in Morbi's heart. The people of Morbi can never forget the day of August 11, 1979. Even after so many years, when the horrific scenes of the Machhu water flood disaster that cremated Morbi in a single moment, tears of helplessness fall from the eyes of the flood victims who have lost their loved ones. The 46-year-old tradition will continue today and a silent rally will be held at noon with the salute of 11 sirens and a wreath will be paid to the deceased at the memorial at Mani Mandir. On August 11, 1979, at around 3-15 pm, a gigantic-sized wave of water from the Machhu Dam swept through the city of Morbi and in the blink of an eye, the entire city was submerged. The force of the water was so strong that the water wreaked havoc in Morbi and the bridge collapsed and the water leaked out. But by then Morbi had become a deserted place. Two students from Harvard University in the US, Tom Wood and an NRI, Utpal Sadesara, also an NRI, did research on the Machhu tragedy and published the entire book. Research by American students has revealed that the disaster was caused by a failure of the system. According to their research, a population of 1,53,000 in 68 villages of Morbi-Malia taluka was severely affected.