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Rise in Ganga’s water level deluges 70 villages, locals forced to live on streets

Extensive swathes of agricultural land spanning 22 villages near the Ganga Barrage in Kanpur, along with 50 villages in and around Shuklagunj, are currently submerged.

Updated on: Aug 26, 2023, 23:53:31 IST
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KANPUR Nearly 70 villages in Kanpur and the neighboring Shuklagunj area of Unnao are reeling under heavy flooding due to the continuous and substantial release of water from Narora and Haridwar, causing the Ganga River to swell.

Ganga river in Kanpur (PTI)
Ganga river in Kanpur (PTI)

Extensive swathes of agricultural land spanning 22 villages near the Ganga Barrage in Kanpur, along with 50 villages in and around Shuklagunj, are currently submerged. This dire situation has rekindled distressing memories of the 2010 Kanpur floods among the local populace.

Presently, the Ganga’s water level is surging three meters above the critical mark of 114.0 in Kanpur. Over the past three days, the count of affected villages has surged from four to 70.

Ravi Kumar Nishad, a resident of Bharatpurwa village, shared that the deluge has penetrated their village, compelling people to take refuge on roadsides. “If the roads become impassable, we will seek higher ground. The escalating water levels are causing significant apprehension,” he remarked.

To provide aid, the administration distributed essential ration kits to 42 families of this village on Saturday. Ram Kesh of Isja village, enveloped by water on all sides, lamented, “Our crops have been decimated, and residents are confined to the roadsides.” He pointed out that many are resorting to the roads because they lack awareness about the whereabouts of shelter facilities.

The road connecting Bharatpurwa and Isja villages has been entirely submerged, with water levels reaching up to three feet. Additionally, approximately two kilometers away, near Bhopalpurwa and Bhagwandeenpur villages, the Jal Nigam pumping station found itself submerged. On Saturday, around 16 families sought refuge at Kanshiram Primary School, while 46 families remained stranded on the roads.

  • Haidar Naqvi
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Haidar Naqvi

    Haidar Naqvi is an Assistant Editor with the Hindustan Times in Kanpur and has been with the newspaper since May 1997, after beginning his journalism career with The Times of India. Over more than three decades, he has reported on terrorism, internal security, politics, governance and public affairs, with a particular focus on the changing nature of extremist movements in India.From 2008 to 2011, Haidar was part of the Hindustan Times National Reporting Team, contributing to coverage of some of the country's most significant security stories. He was among the reporters who covered the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as they unfolded and continued reporting on the investigation that exposed the conspiracy behind them.His reporting has followed the rise and evolution of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Indian Mujahideen and India's counter-terrorism response, alongside extensive coverage of organised crime and the underworld. He has also reported on Indian Mujahideen serial blasts, the Maoist insurgency, communal riots, parliamentary and assembly elections, and major political developments. Over the years, he has interviewed political leaders, senior police officers, intelligence officials and policymakers, while reporting from communities affected by violence, conflict and public policy.Beyond national security, Haidar has covered politics, minority affairs, governance, wildlife and human-interest stories across Central Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. A recipient of the coveted Hindustan Times' Star Award, he brings historical perspective, field experience and institutional knowledge to reporting on the intersection of security, governance and society.Read More