Uttar Pradesh rivers in spate, situation alarming
By IANSWednesday, August 25, 2010
LUCKNOW - Widespread heavy downpour has led to steep rise in the level of most Uttar Pradesh rivers, flooding vast areas and affecting millions of people, officials said Wednesday.
The release of water from the Nepal-based Banbasa dam has also pushed the Sarda, Ghaghra and Saryu rivers well above the danger mark.
The overflowing waters have waded into thousands of acres of agricultural land in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The worst hit districts are Gionda, Bahraich, Ballia, Lakhimpur Kheri, Balrampur, Barabanki, Sitapur and Faizabad.
The rising level of the Ganga and Yamuna were also posing a serious threat to several districts.
At least 16 people have reportedly died on account of the rains and floods.
In Bahraich, 74 villages were submerged under water and 1.39 lakh families affected.
The rains Tuesday even flooded rail tracks and highways in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Train services were affected for nearly 24 hours on the Gonda-Mailani and Bahraich-Mailani routes.
Chief Minister Mayawati has asker her officilas to be on high alert.
“No laxity of any sort would be tolerated in dealing with the flood situation,” she said in a statement here Wednesday.
