UP rain fury kills 56 in 3 days, injures 46 as rivers rise and floods hit

Fifty-six people have died and 46 others have been injured in rain- and storm-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh since Friday, officials said on Sunday, as an intense three-day wet spell left several districts facing a flood-like situation. Rescue teams were working in waterlogged areas to move stranded people to safer places, while heavy rain and strong winds uprooted trees and electric poles, flooded roads and villages, and damaged houses and crops.Officials said the depression over the state had weakened into a well-marked low pressure area on Sunday, bringing some relief from the rain.

However, river levels were rising in several places and the administration remained on alert, with the relief department reviewing rescue work and directing district officials to stay in the field and ensure quick help to affected people.According to data shared by the office of the relief commissioner, 56 people died and 46 were injured in rain- and storm-related incidents between September 25 and the morning of September 27.

The highest number of deaths during the 60-hour period was reported from Sitapur at seven, followed by Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich and Balrampur with five each, and Ayodhya and Gorakhpur with four each. Officials said 1,021 houses were damaged.The state received 45.1 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Sunday, against the normal 1.8 mm. As many as 56 of Uttar Pradesh's 75 districts recorded excessive rainfall, with Farrukhabad recording 7,385 per cent above normal, 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.The Central Water Commission said the Ghagra and Rapti rivers were rising at several monitoring stations, creating a flood threat in 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, and was likely to rise further to 106.55 metres by Sunday night. In Ayodhya, the river level 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, it was at 104 metres against its warning level of 103.62 metres and was likely to rise further by Sunday evening.

The CWC said widespread rainfall was recorded in the river basins in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Sunday.Heavy rain caused widespread waterlogging in several parts of the state. At the Sonik toll plaza on the Ganga Expressway in Unnao, rainwater collected 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 was affected partly because of the relatively low height of a high-tension power line near the ramp. Mishra said the agency was coordinating with the authorities concerned to relocate the line after the monsoon and that continuous surveillance was being maintained to ensure safe and smooth traffic movement.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav shared a video and took a swipe at the Uttar Pradesh government over the 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 and several intersections were waterlogged. Agricultural fields in the Bakshi Ka Talab area were submerged and crops were flattened by rain and strong winds. The Kanpur-Etawah highway was also reported to have been damaged over a stretch of around 200 metres.The India Meteorological Department said 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 is likely to continue moving in the same direction across Uttar Pradesh and gradually weaken into a low pressure area during the next 12 hours. The IMD said a depression brings strong winds and heavy rain, and as it weakens into a well-marked low pressure area, the system loses strength, wind speeds drop and overall rain intensity reduces. Heavy rain lashed Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Bareilly and several other parts of the state, accompanied by winds of 30-40 kmph.

The IMD had forecast heavy rainfall in parts of the state on Sunday.Relief commissioner Dr Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod reviewed relief and rescue operations with district magistrates and additional district magistrates on Sunday and directed them to remain in the field, stay in direct contact with affected people and ensure prompt assistance. He also told officials to immediately assess crop damage and provide compensation as per rules, arrange alternative accommodation where required and speed up assistance to families whose houses were damaged.

The relief department advised people to avoid unnecessary movement in water- and flood-affected areas and to stay away from fast-flowing rivers, streams and drains. For emergency assistance, people can contact the relief commissioner's office helpline at 1070. Overall, the three-day spell of intense rain has left a trail of deaths, injuries, flooding and damage across Uttar Pradesh, even as the weather system has begun to weaken.

Rescue and relief operations were continuing on Sunday as officials monitored rising river levels, waterlogging and damage to homes, roads and crops.- EndsWith PTI inputs