UP rain fury: 56 dead, 46 injured as heavy rainfall causes widespread damage

At least 56 people died and 46 others were injured after continuous rainfall lashed several parts of Uttar Pradesh between September 25 and 26, causing widespread damage across the state.

The state also reported the deaths of 107 animals, while the assessment of crop damage was still underway.

According to a situation report prepared by the office of UP Relief Commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod, Sitapur was the worst-affected district in terms of fatalities, with seven deaths. Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich and Balrampur reported five deaths each, while Ayodhya and Gorakhpur recorded four fatalities each.

Hardoi recorded the highest number of injuries at seven, followed by Mainpuri and Shravasti with five each. Barabanki reported four injuries, while Sitapur and Lakhimpur Kheri recorded three injured persons each.

The rainfall also resulted in significant livestock losses, with 107 animal deaths reported across the state. Hardoi recorded the highest number of animal deaths at 28, followed by Sitapur with 16, Kannauj with 14, Bahraich and Kanpur Dehat with seven each, and Unnao with six.

The heavy rain damaged 1,021 houses across Uttar Pradesh. Hardoi accounted for the highest number of damaged houses at 272, followed by Sitapur with 108. Chandauli, Auraiya, Gonda, Hamirpur, Shahjahanpur and Bahraich also reported substantial damage to residential structures.

The report said Uttar Pradesh received an average of 66.5 mm of rainfall during the 48-hour period, against the normal 7.6 mm, marking a 775 per cent excess.

Of the state's 75 districts, 56 recorded "large excess" rainfall. Farrukhabad recorded the highest deviation from normal rainfall at 7,385 per cent, followed by Kannauj at 5,664 per cent, Shahjahanpur at 4,408 per cent, Hamirpur at 4,240 per cent and Mahoba at 4,100 per cent.

Yashod said the assessment of crop losses was still underway as district administrations continued rescue, relief and damage assessment operations in the affected areas. The casualty figures are expected to rise as data compilation is still under way, Yashod added.