Rain lashes UP, flood situation continues to be grim

Lucknow, Aug 5 (UNI) Even as spells of shower lashed most divisions of Uttar Pradesh in the last 24 hours, prominent rivers were showing a downward trend while situation continues to be grim in flood-affected districts.

According to Central Water Commission, Moradabad received 39.4 mm of rainfall, Lakhimpur Kheri 45.2, Mukhlispur 40.6, Basti 38.4, Mathura 90, Agra 25.8, Banda 16.8, whereas the capital city witnessed 41.6 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the reports of moderate to little rainfall in other parts of the state were pouring in.

River Gomti in Jaunpur was flowing 80 cm above the red mark, whereas river Sharda was at 42 cm above the danger mark in Palliyakala of Lakhimpur Kheri district.

However, Ghaghra was at the danger mark in Ayodhya and Barabanki, whereas in Turtipar (Ballia) it was 25 cm above the red mark and Kuano at Gonda was 99 cm above the red mark.

According to the reports from Gonda, at least 323 villages in the district were still running affected with flood. While rivers Ghaghra, Kuano, Manvar were receding here.

District administration had pressed 160 boats for rescue and relief work and affected population were being provided necessary help through flood chowkis, officials sources said.

Reports from Gorakhpur said, Gandak, Ghaghra, Kuano, Kunhara and Gorra were continuously receding. Over thousands of villages remained affected from the disaster.

Relief and rescue work was in full swing, but, situation still worse in Gorakhpur and Deoria districts of Gorakhpur division, where 281 and 21 villages had been marooned respectively.

Nearly 6.5 lakh population of the region was under the jaws of flood.

About 2,155 people had been moved to safer areas, whereas lakhs were residing in help centres, official spokesperson said.

The calamity had so far claimed 36 lives in the two districts.

UNI PDM SW BST1625