14 die of torrential rain-induced incidents in UP

Lucknow, Aug 21 (UNI) Copious rainfall witnessed in Uttar Pradesh since past one week has claimed lives of at least 14 people in rain-induced overnight incidents and worsened the overall deluge condition.

People were getting burried alive in the tumble-down of dilapidated houses and buildings, following incessant rains.

In the last 24 hours, three each died due to rain-triggered incidents in Aurraiya, Gonda and Sitapur, followed by two each in Faizabad and Siddharthnagar, while one person died in Basti.

In Gonda, the total toll has reached 32.

As per the reports, four tehsils, comprising Mankapur, Tarabganj, Colonelganj, were severely affected by heavy rainfall and flood in Gonda district. Of them, Tarabganj and Colonelganj were still under the jaws of flood and an alert has also been sounded. Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawans were on their toes to provide relief and the resuce workers have been deprived of any holiday.

Meanwhile, the spate in Ghagra, Saryu and Teri rivers due to abundant rainfall have hit the road routes and disenabled connection between villages.

The disaster has hit normal lives of as many as 5,000 families and forced them to move to higher altitudes for safety.

In Basti, the district administration has passed evacuation orders in all 15 villages, owing to heavy showers. Ghagra was still flowing above the danger level in the district and the flood-water has inundated more than 20 villages. Nearby 55,000 people and several hectares of farmland were affected due to the grim situation in the district.

Heavy rainfall has raised the Ghagra river in volume and posed danger to B D Dam. Rescue work was still underway in the district.

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