Rains in Nepal may cause floods in East UP

Lucknow, July 27 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government today announced the formation of flood control committees even as rains in the higher reaches of Nepal have caused flood threat in East UP.

State Irrigation Minister Dr Meerajuddin, quoting reports said here, rains were lashing the hills of the Himalayan Kingdom and ''in the next four days the water may reach Eastern UP areas...the entire Gorakhpur division has been marked as sensitive.'' But, he maintained as of now the situation was well under control.

He said UP has formed flood control committees in various districts. To be headed by district magistrates, these 'steering group committees' would have officials drawn from various government departments, including irrigation, police, power and Jal Nigam.

A flood control room has been established in the state capital to keep a round-the-clock watch on rainfall and flow of rivers.

''Wireless sets have been provided at 92 sensitive areas where there is danger of floods,'' he said. The minister maintained so far there was no flood threat in UP

These rivers included Ganga (Narora), Ram Ganga, Yamuna (Mathura, Auriyya, Kalpi and Jalaun, Betwa (Jalaun), Chambal (Dhaulpur, Sharda, Paliakalan) and Gandak (Valmikinagar).

Out of the 58 places being monitored by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in UP, 22 have received less than normal rainfall.

The least amount of rainfall (72.50 mm) was recorded in Etawah.

Thirty-six areas recorded more than average rainfall. The maximum rainfall was recorded in Shahjahanpur (738.90 mm).

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