UP SOUNDS HIGH ALERT IN 25 DISTS ALONG GANGA; CM ASSURES ALL HELP

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday put on high alert the authorities in 25 districts on the banks of the Ganga in the state and asked them to continuously monitor the water levels in the river after a glacier broke off at Joshimath in the neighbouring Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, triggering a massive flood there.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, “It is a tragic incident. Uttar Pradesh will extend all help to Uttarakhand, if required.”

“As the Alaknanda is a tributary of the Ganga, an alert has been sounded in all 25 districts in Uttar Pradesh where the Ganga river flows,” he added, interacting with reporters in Ayodhya.

He said as the Ganga covered almost 1,000 kilometres in the state, the authorities were exercising full caution. He also said the Jal Shakti department was alerted soon after the incident.

“The home department is keeping a watch,” he added.

“We are sure that the excess water released by this flash

flood will be absorbed in barrages in Narora and Bijnor (in western Uttar Pradesh),” he added.

“State Disaster Response Force is on high alert and ready to meet any eventuality,” the chief minister said. He stressed there was no need to fear.

In a tweet in Hindi, Adityanath also said, “To tackle the natural disaster in Uttarakhand, the Uttar Pradesh government will extend all possible help.”

In another tweet, he said, “Feel sad by the news that many people are feared dead in the disaster which took place after breaking off a glacier. I pray to Lord Ram to give peace to the souls who have passed away, strength to the aggrieved family members to bear the loss and speedy recovery to the injured.”

Later in a statement, the chief minister said in case of an increase in the water levels, people residing close to the banks of the Ganga should be shifted elsewhere.

He appealed to people not to believe in any rumour.

“People should exercise caution and not venture towards the riverbanks. In case of any adverse circumstances, cooperate with the district administration. The UP government is taking all necessary steps,” he said.

In the disaster alert issued on Sunday to district magistrates in UP, the relief commissioner said, “Report of breaking of a part of Nandadevi glacier in Uttarakhand has been received. The districts on the Ganga river (banks) need to be on a high alert and the monitoring of water level needs to be done 24×7. If required, the people need to be evacuated.”

The NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) flood company were given instructions to be on the highest alert, the statement added. In Kannauj, district magistrate Rakesh Kumar Mishra convened an emergency meeting of officials. Divers and revenue officials of villages located on the banks of the Ganga have been told to remain on alert.

Mishra inspected the Mahadevi Ghat in the district and said in case of rise in water levels, villagers would be taken to safer places.

In Ballia, too, the district administration alerted people, according to district magistrate Shrihari Pratap Shahi.