Flood situation worsens with fourth rainy day in UP

Lucknow, Aug 18 (UNI) The release of 31,550 cusecs water from Narora dam in Bulandshehr amid incessant rainfall for the last four days has resulted in re-swelling of Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the other prominent rivers Yamuna, Sharda, Rapti, Ghaghra were also in spate at several districts following the heavy downpour that has thrown normal life out of gear.

Besides, flood situation, which had pacified to some extent, has further deteriorated.

In the last 24 hrs, 16 persons have died in rain related incidents. The fresh casualties were reported from Ferozabad and Bareilly four each, Budaun and Shahjahanpur three each, while two in Farrukhabad.

According to Central Water Commission reports, in Ballia Ganga was flowing 62 cms above the danger mark, while Ramganga in Shahjahanpur was at 18 cms above the red mark.

Ghagra was flowing 47 cm, 39 cm and 29 cm above the danger level in Ayodhya, Barabanki and Turtipar (Basti), while Sharda river was 46 cm above the red mark in Paliyakala (Lakhimpur Kheri).

The 'city of Nawabs' which witnessed heavy downpour throughout yesterday, was under a thick cloud cover today.

In Basti, over 35,000 people were affected and all in all 120 villages were under the jaws of flood. Besides, the deluge water has adversely affected several hectares of farmland.

Meanwhile, the district administration continued with its rescue and relief operations. Four flood chowkis and five boats were available for people's help round the clock.

Reports from Gonda said that 75 villages were affected by flood.

Tarabganj and Colonelganj tehsils of Gonda were swamped under the deluge of-water. Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) sleuths and boats were still deployed under the rescue work.

The flood water has also reportedly engulfed several villages in Basti, Sant Kabirnagar, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur and Deoaria districts.

In the last 24, Bahraich received 16 cm rainfall, while Mathura 6cm, Lucknow, Sultanpur and Sitapur 5 cm each, Lakhimpur and Rai Bareli 4 each, while Bareilly and Basti witnessed 2 cm respectively.

The weather has office forecast moderate to rather heavy rainfall for many places in the state in the next 24 hrs.

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