Three killed due to flood-related incidents in UP, warning issued to 26 districts

In view of rise in water level in rivers, flood warning has been issued to 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh due to flood-related incidents. Three people have been reported to have died in flood related incidents in last two days.

The flood warning was issued by Management Information System Centre (FMISC) this week. The deaths were reported from Bijnor, Aligarh and Sonbhadra districts.

“These districts fall under the basins of Ram Ganga, Ganga, Ghagra and Sharda rivers. Water levels in these rivers have crossed the danger mark,” said executive engineer of FMISC Mithilesh Kumar. “The alert has been communicated to the District Magistrates and officials concerned through phone calls and electronically,” the officer added.

Among the districts, those in Ram Ganga river basin face higher risk due to ‘constant rise in water level in previous days.’ The river is flowing 0.6 and 0.2 metres above the danger mark in Moradabad and Shahajahanpur districts respectively.

Many parts of Moradabad, Amroha, Sambhal, Pilibhit, Bareilly, Badaun and Shahjahanpur districts that fall in the basin have already been flooded. Dinesh Kumar, district magistrate of Badaun said, “Around 25 villages situated close to the Ram Ganga River have inundated. We are trying to provide relief to those affected.”

The situation is equally alarming in eastern parts of the state. “Districts like Balia, Chandausi, Gazipur, Banaras, Sant Kabirdas Nagar, Mirzapur in Ganga river basin, Behraich, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Maharjganj Deoria in Rapti and Ghagra river basin have been warned,” the FMISC official said. Ganga river is recorded to be flowing 0.1 metre above danger level in Badaun. Water level in Ghaghra was recorded 0.6 meter above danger level mark in Barabanki.

Though only a few districts among those warned have experienced flood, almost all districts administration claim to be have started preventive measures. DM of Gorakhpur K Vijayendra Pandian said, “We have established 180 flood posts across the districts where local officials are monitoring the level of water around the clock. We have also purchased 50 rescue boats and the districts relief management team has chalked plan to provide relief material.”

While the efforts made by district administration have prevented limited human causality, the rising water is reported to have damage standing crops.