As many as six persons, including three children, were killed as Uttar Pradesh continued to witness widespread heavy rains resulting floods here on Friday.
According to reports reaching the state headquarters, all the six persons were killed when lightning struck in Ghazipur district of the state. Nine-year-old Upendra and Kedar Bind (8) from Dharikala village under Shaidiyabad police station area, Pushpa Devi (40) from Sriganj village under Nandganj police station area, Nakhdu (50) and Rohit Bind (15) from Ichauli village under Muhammadabad police station area and Sanehi Ram (30) from Banmalipur under Kotwali police station area died in the lightning. Meanwhile, several regions in the state witnessed heavy rainfall with Chandradeep Ghat (Gonda) receiving 200 mm rain, Ayodhya 162.8 mm, Palia Kalan 160.8 mm and Basti 128.6 mm rain, Central Water Commission said. Sharda river at Palia Kalan and Ghaghra river at Elgin Bridge and Ayodhya were flowing above the red mark, it added.
Criticising the ruling Samajwadi Party for its failure in tackling the flood situation in the state, state BJP spokesman Dr Chandra Mohan said despite the fact that several rivers
including the Sharda and Ghaghra were flowing above the danger level, the state Government was dilly dallying in its approach in extending assistance.He
said the Akhilesh Yadav Government was busy distributing laptops whereas its prime duty was to take note of the flood situation. He went on to state that hundreds of people fled from the Terai regions due to floods, but the Government insentive to such problems. He said due to Government's negligence the Army had to assist in relief work in Unnao.