Flood re-hits UP; army deployed in Barabanki

Lucknow, Sep 23 (UNI) Army has been pressed into service in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh after a deluge hit the state due to re-swelling of several prominent rivers following release of large volume of water from Nepal, Uttarakhand and Harayana barrages.

Chief seccretary Atul Kumar Gupta today took an aerial survelliance in the flood-hit areas at Barabanki district and directed the district administration to speed up relief and rescue work, official sources said.

Army and PAC jawans were helping the administration in relief and rescue work, sources added.

In Barabanki, river Ghagra crossed the danger mark and turned it's coarse to nearly 98 villages of Ramnagar tehsil following breach in Elgin bridge and Guide dam.

A population of about two lakh was affected by the disaster in Ramnagar tehsil and 33 relief camps had been set up.

Meanwhile, traffic movement had ceased at Barabanki-Behraich highway.

As per reports, the torrential rainfall witnessed by the state during the last week has led to flood situation in Sitapur, Barabanki, Lakhimpur, Faizabad, Gonda and Behraich districts.

UP Chief Secretary Atul Kumar Gupta also visited Behraich district and took stock of the situation.

The swelled Ghagra has affected in all 150 villages in the district, besides posing danger to a dam.

Reports from Gonda read river Ghagra has engulfed more than 100 villages, following the recent release of six lakh cusecs water from Nepal.

Meanwhile, people living at lower lying area were being taken to safer places and the district administration had asked for deployment of army here.

In Lakhimpur Kheri, river Sharda was wreaking havoc in nearby 200 villages. The river was in spate after the release of a large quantity of water from Banbasa dam.

Meanwhile, the movement of trains on Lakhimpur-Sitapur rail route remained suspended for fourth day today after the water of overflowing Suheli river crept on the tracks.

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