UP flood situation improves; rivers recede

Lucknow, Aug 9: Even as major rivers, including Ghagra, Rapti and Kwano, had started receding in Uttar Pradesh, three more deaths in the last 24 hours took the toll to 179 so far.

According to Central Water Commission (CWC), Rapti was flowing 20 cms below the danger mark at Bardghat, Gorakhpur.

Budhi Rapti in Kakrahi, Ghaghra in Turtipar and Ayodhya were overflowing the danger mark by 61 cms, 73 cms and 22 cms respectively.

Besides, Kwano and Sharda had started receding.

About five lakh hectares of agricultural land had been affected in the flood-hit districts.

Meanwhile, met department had forcast rains in some parts of the state in the next 24 hours.

The flood situation is improving in Gorakhpur division, however, the national highway no 29 remained blocked for the fifth consecutive day.

According to reports from Maharajganj, people of Kushinagar and Deoria had got some respite with the improvement in flood situation.

The flood situation continues to be grim in Siddharthnagar district. Almost 450 villages of Naugarh, Bansi, Etawah, Dumriyaganj and Shauratgarh tehsils were still reeling under flood.

In Basti, about 90 of 188 flood affected villages, were still marooned. Three people, including a girl and two members of a family, succumbed in the last 24 hours here.

UNI