Rain poses power supply interruption threat

Lucknow, Aug 22: Power supply in North India is facing the danger of ''complete shatter'' as a power grid of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) was completely inundated, following heavy downpour.

The NTPC's northern area grid at Lucknow-Kursi Marg has been affected by the incessant rainfall. Power supply in northern region might also face disruption, if the equipment gets wet, reports from Barabanki stated.

Several prominent rivers, including the Ganga, Yamuna, Gomti, Sharda, Ghagra, Ramganga, Gandhak and Behgul have taken an upward trend posing danger to various dams in the state.

Meanwhile, over 300 people have died due to collapse of dilapidated houses in the past one week in the state.

In the last 24 hrs, two people were burried alive under the debris in Barabanki and one each died in Gonda, Sitapur, Mainpuri, Basti and Aurraiya.

Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh government had also admitted that at least 660 people died due to heavy rainfall and flood.

Replying to an adjournment motion in the Assembly, state Irrigation minister Nasimuddin Siddiqui had said of the total 660 deaths, 90 people have died of flood, 114 due to heavy rains and cloud burst, while the remaining fell prey to routine deaths in monsoon season.

In Basti, Kishunpur Umrai Ring dam was facing the danger of destruction from the swollen Ghagra river. Over 100 villages might get engulfed in the flood-water, if the dams breaks. Besides, the situation was grim at B D Dam.

Large population of 200 villages was reeling under flood in the district.

As per the reports from Gonda, four tehsils, comprising Mankapur, Tarabganj, Colonelganj, were severely affected by heavy rains and flood. Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawans and rescue workers were on their toes to provid relief in the district.

The spate in Ghagra, Saryu and Teri rivers due to abundant rainfall have hit the road routes and temporary broken the connection between several villages. The disaster has entered several villages and forced the citizens to move to higher altitudes for safety.

In the Uttar Pradesh capital, the swollen Gomti river has inundated seven villages in the Bakshi-ka-Talab area. The continuous rains have also hiked the prices of vegetables and fruits.

UNI