Uttar Pradesh rain: 56 dead, 1,021 houses damaged in three days

Uttar Pradesh has reported 56 deaths and 46 injuries in rain and storm-related incidents since September 25, with several districts facing flood-like conditions after three days of heavy rainfall, officials said.

The depression over the state weakened into a well-marked low pressure area on Sunday, bringing some respite from the rainfall.

Rescue teams were operating in waterlogged areas to evacuate stranded people to safer locations, the relief department said. Strong winds and heavy rain uprooted trees and electric poles, inundated roads and villages, and damaged more than 1,000 houses and standing crops.

The state received 45.1 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Sunday, against the normal 1.8 mm, officials said.

According to data shared by the office of the relief commissioner, 56 people died and 46 were injured between September 25 and the morning of September 27.

Sitapur recorded the highest number of deaths during the 60-hour period, followed by Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich and Balrampur, and Ayodhya and Gorakhpur. A total of 1,021 houses were damaged, the official said.

Rivers cross warning and danger levels

The Central Water Commission, in its Daily Water Level Bulletin, said the Ghagra and Rapti rivers were rising at several monitoring stations, posing a flood threat to low-lying areas.

At Elginbridge in Barabanki, the Ghagra was flowing at 106.14 metres at 8 am, above its danger level of 106.07 metres. The water level was expected to rise further to 106.55 metres by Sunday night.

In Ayodhya, the river stood at 92.39 metres against the warning level of 91.73 metres and was forecast to rise to 92.85 metres.

The Rapti was also rising sharply in eastern Uttar Pradesh. At Balrampur, the river water level was 104 metres against its warning level of 103.62 metres and was likely to rise further by Sunday evening.

Widespread rainfall was recorded in the river basins during the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Sunday, the CWC said.

Heavy waterlogging across UP

Heavy rain caused extensive waterlogging in several parts of the state.

At the Sonik toll plaza on the Ganga Expressway in Unnao, rainwater accumulated and pumps were used to drain it.

Ganga Expressway project manager R S Mishra said the expressway remained fully operational and traffic movement was normal despite the unusually heavy rainfall.

He said there was no waterlogging anywhere on the expressway except at one ramp in Unnao, where drainage had been partly affected due to the relatively low height of a high-tension power line near the ramp.

The agency was coordinating with the authorities concerned to relocate the line after the monsoon, Mishra said. He added that the expressway team was maintaining continuous surveillance to ensure safe and smooth traffic movement.

Sharing a video, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at the Uttar Pradesh government over waterlogging on the Ganga Expressway, suggesting that it be renamed the Ganga Express Waterway.

In Lucknow, a portion of the road near Ekana Stadium reportedly caved in, while several intersections were waterlogged. Agricultural fields in the Bakshi Ka Talab area were submerged and crops were flattened by rain and strong winds.

Rain system weakens

According to the India Meteorological Department, the system that caused incessant rain over the last three days moved north-northwestwards and weakened into a well-marked low pressure area at 5.30 am.

It was likely to continue moving in the same direction across Uttar Pradesh and weaken gradually into a low pressure area during the next 12 hours.

The IMD said a depression produces strong winds and heavy rain. As it weakens into a well-marked low-pressure area, the system loses strength and wind speeds drop, reducing the overall intensity of rainfall.

Heavy rain lashed Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Bareilly and several other parts of the state, accompanied by strong winds reaching 30-40 kmph.

The Kanpur-Etawah highway was also reported to have suffered damage over a stretch of around 200 metres.

The IMD had forecast heavy rainfall in parts of the state on Sunday.

As many as 56 of the state’s 75 districts recorded excessive rainfall. Farrukhabad recorded 7,385 per cent above normal, followed by Kannauj, Shahjahanpur, Hamirpur and Mahoba.

Officials step up relief operations

Relief commissioner Dr Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod reviewed relief and rescue operations with district magistrates and additional district magistrates on Sunday.

He directed officials to remain in the field, maintain direct contact with affected people and ensure prompt assistance.

He also ordered officials to immediately assess crop damage and provide compensation as per rules, arrange alternative accommodation where required and expedite assistance to families whose houses were damaged.

Rescue teams continued operations in waterlogged areas to evacuate stranded people to safer locations, the relief department said.

The department advised people to avoid unnecessary movement in water- and flood-affected areas and stay away from fast-flowing rivers, streams and drains.

For emergency assistance, people can contact the relief commissioner’s office helpline at 1070.

(With inputs from agencies)