UP river flows above danger level; govt issues flood warning

NEW DELHI: The Centre today issued a warning of "high flood situation" in Uttar Pradesh after water in the Rapti river rose above the danger level.

"River Rapti in Balrampur district of UP is now flowing in high flood situation. At 1800 hours today, it was flowing at a level of 104.99 metres with a rising trend," said a statement issued by Ministry of Water Resources here.

The river was flowing at 0.37 metres above the danger level of 104.62 metres and 0.46 metres below its previous highest flood level (HFL) of 105.25 metres recorded on September 11, 2000, it said.

At 0800 hour today, it was flowing at a level of 104.79 metres, the release added.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth yesterday took stock of the preparedness in the wake of floods in Nepal.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have also been kept ready for rescue operations in Nepal, if required.

Three helicopters have been kept on the stand by at Gorakhpur for this purpose, it said.

Flood situation in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and recent heavy rains and cloudburst in Uttarakhand were also reviewed by NCMC with the state governments.