In the wake of heavy rains in Uttarakhand and Nepal and the release of water from several barrages, the threat of floods looms large over UP. The state government has issued alert asking people to stay away from rivers which are in spate.
The Army has been kept on the stand-by for the impending floods as Defence personnel conducted rescue operations in Bijnore and Saharanpur - the two districts which were rocked by flash floods. Fifteen people were feared killed in the two due the rains on Monday.
A report from Mathura quoting DM, Vishal Chauhan said that an alert has been sounded in the district following the release of over 8 lakh cusec of water from Hathnikund barrage in Yamuna river on Tuesday morning. ''The released water would be reaching Mathura by Wednesday hence people living in lowlying areas have been asked to evacuate to safer places,'' the DM said while asserting that the Irrigation department has set up a control room at Gokul Barrage to monitor the situation.
A total of 32 flood check posts have been set up in the district where boats and other relief materials have been distributed.
A report from Pilibhit said that the flood situation in the district deteriorated after 5 lakh cusec of water was
released from Banvasa barrage and 14,000 cusec from Nanak Sagar and Duni barrages on Tuesday.
Official sources said in lucknow that due to release of water from Banvasa barrage the water level of Sharda river has started rising inundating low lying areas. Release of water from other two barrages would raise the level of Deva river which also runs through adjoining Shahjahanpur district.
Four people marroned by flash floods climbed up trees and were rescued by a relief team in Majra village of Puranpur tehsil.
The authorities have also ordered evacuation of residents from low lying areas while motorboats have been pressed into service.
A report from the Flood Control department said that the Ganga was rising all through its course from Uttarakhand to UP due to heavy rains in the catchment areas.
Sharda river was flowing above danger level of 153.62 metres at lakhimpur Kheri and the rise was continuing. Burhi Rapti river was near kissing danger level at Kakrahi in Sidharthangar while Ghagra was poising a threat in Barabanki. Rohini and Rapti rivers were also in spate in Siddharthnagar.
Heavy rains have been witnessed in entire UP due to active south-west monsoon which created problem for the people and paralysing the normal life.
Weather office predicted moderate to heavy rains / thunder showers occurred at most places across the state. Some parts of western UP witnessed heavy rains and thundershowers.
In the last 24 hrs, Sidharthnagar recorded the highest 204.8 mm of rainfalls followed by 160.8 mm in lakhimpur Kheri, 135.6 mm in Bijnore, 115.8 mm in Barabanki,97.8 mm in Rae Bareli, 76.8 mm in lucknow, 85.4 in Moradabad, 85.8 in Dalmau and 50.6 mm in Kanpur Dehat.
The weathermen also predicted rains and thundershowers at most places across UP and warned of heavy to very heavy rains at many places over west-UP and few places
in east-UP with extremely heavy rains at isolated places over west-UP during the next 48 hrs.