Three major rivers in UP flow above danger mark
LUCKNOW: Heavy monsoon rains that lashed Uttar Pradesh in the past fortnight have resulted in rise in the water levels of major rivers in the state, posing flood threat to several villages in low lying areas. On Thursday, three major rivers of the state were flowing above the danger level, according to the Flood Management Information System Center (FMISC), Lucknow.
As per the information from FMISC, the Ganga, Kuwano, and the Rapti were flowing above danger levels in several districts, including, Ballia, Badaun, Moradabad, Ayodhya, Balrampur, and Maharajganj. District administrations have established flood relief posts and set up state disaster relief teams to aid residents of the low-lying areas. “UP recorded 68 mm rainfall in last two weeks, which is 20% more than normal rainfall expected during this period. There is a possibility that rains will occur in the state in the coming days,” said JP Gupta, director of the Uttar Pradesh Met department.
Uttar Pradesh recorded large excess rainfall in 51 of its 75 districts during the monsoon season. Nine districts received excess, eight recorded normal rains, and seven districts received slightly deficient rainfall during the period. “The number of districts recording large excess rainfall has gone up from 40 to 51 since August. This means that the state has received ample rains so far in the current monsoon season,” informed Gupta.
Flood situation in Gkp
The flood situation in Gorakhpur turned grim on Thursday with the damage to the Basawanpur embankment caused by the rising water level of the Rapti. It triggered panic among the locals who took shelter at higher elevations even as the affected villages in the Bansgaon tehsil lost road communications with the rest of the area.
“The Basawanpur ring embankment suffered damage by overflow at 3 am on Thursday, affecting 20 houses in the villages of Basawanpur and Bharouvalia,” said Vipin Kumar, executive engineer, flood block.
The Rapti River is flowing above the danger mark at 77.27 meters, which is only 0.27 meters lower than the 1998 record. The danger mark of River Rapti is 74.98. The Rohin river has started receding as the river flowed at 84.44 meters on Thursday morning, which was 0.28 meters less than the previous day.
Jal Shakti minister Mahendra Singh has been camping in Gorakhpur since Tuesday, and in a meeting with officials on Wednesday, he directed officials to provide essential medicines, especially to patients suffering from chronic illnesses in floodaffected areas. He also advised village employees and doctors of non affected areas to provide services in the flood-affected areas.