Rains leave thousands homeless in UP

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 19: People in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda District were forced to spend nights in the open after the floodwaters inundated their huts and submerged their fields. The villagers complained that if the administration had taken preventive steps on time, the disaster could have been avoided. They also lamented the alleged apathy of the authorities in helping them out.

"We are surrounded by water. Water is there everywhere and we have no one to help us. No one has come to us for relief or rescue operations," said Ramnaresh Pathak, a resident. The authorities, however, claimed that some relief has been provided and more would be made available soon.

"We are ready to provide the villages with more relief and rescue operations.The moment we get the orders to release the material, we will release the relief material. But as of now, we have already given them four boats and have sent three more. If need be, we will send them more relief material," said Parshuram Singh, a land revenue official.

More rain has been forecasted in the next 48 hours in the district and villagers fear an outbreak of water borne diseases.

ANI