Heavy rain causes floods in 6 UP dists, 28 put on alert

LUCKNOW: Torrential rainfall across Uttar Pradesh in the last 48 hours forced evacuations of people to relief camps in at least six state districts and 28 other districts were put on alert.

According to state government officials, people living in low-lying areas of Ghazipur, Siddharth Nagar, Ballia, Barabanki, Basti and Sonbhardra were moved to flood relief camps following flooding due to the sustained downpour. Twenty-eight other districts – mostly in East UP – have been issued a flood warning.

After a slight slump, the South Western monsoon gained momentum in Uttar Pradesh last week. This monsoon, most parts of the state received healthy rainfall, especially East and Central Uttar Pradesh. The state received an average of 74 mm rain in the last 48 hours, causing major rivers to swell.

Five rivers in East and Central UP are flowing near the danger mark, sparking flood fears in around 34 districts. The districts located near river basins have been alerted.

According to information available on the website Flood Management and Information System Centre (FMICS), the state received an average of 150 mm rainfall in July, Eastern Districts receiving more rain than the Western parts.

Rain caused the water level in Rivers Ganga, Kuano, Son and Saryu to reach distress levels, while four others are flowing above normal. “The Ganga is flowing above the severe mark in Ghazipur and Ballia district, while the Kuano is flowing above the severe mark in Gonda district,” said FMICS head engineer Pramod Srivastav. “Rivers Gomti, Sai, Sharda and Gandak are also flowing above normal at several places along their path,” the officer added.

Besides the FMISC, the disaster management and relief department has also cautioned district administrations in areas where the rivers are approaching danger levels, to stay alert.

“We are also coordinating with the district administration to set up relief camps for people affected by floods. Attempts are also being made to ensure supply of food, medicine and clean water in flood-hit areas,” said an official of the disaster management and relief department.

FIVE RIVERS IN EAST AND CENTRAL UP ARE FLOWING NEAR THE DANGER MARK, SPARKING FLOOD FEARS IN AROUND 34 DISTRICTS. THE DISTRICTS LOCATED NEAR RIVER BASINS HAVE BEEN ALERTED.