Uttar Pradesh flood toll at 28; more than 1,000 villages hit

LUCKNOW: Twenty-eight persons have died so far in Uttar Pradesh in floods which have hit the state with several rivers flowing above the danger mark and posing a threat to more than 1,000 villages in the affected districts.

"Floods have so far claimed 28 lives with nine districts of the state being affected by the crisis. Relief and rescue operations have been launched (in these areas).

"In all, around 1,000 to 1,500 villages have been affected by the floods," Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan told reporters here.

The affected districts are Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Lakhimpur, Barabanki, Sitapur, Faizabad and Azamgarh.

"A round-the-clock vigil is being maintained. Although the army has not been called in, it has been informed that its help may be required," he added.

Ranjan said that the worst hit is Bahraich where 202 villages have been affected by floods and 14 lives lost so far.

"As requested, an NDRF team is working in Bahraich. For villages in the interior, we have requested two helicopters from the army for rescue and relief work," he said.

Ranjan said that although the water level was receding in Shravasti district, 117 villages in two tehsils, involving a total population of 60,000 people, has been affected by the floods. There have been two deaths in the district due to the floods, according to the district magistrate.

Ranjan said that the water level has increased in Balrampur district where a close vigil is being maintained.

"Here 76 villages in three tehsils have been affected and one loss of life reported," he said.

While seven deaths were reported in Lakhimpur, including in a boat tragedy, four deaths were reported from Sitapur, Ranjan added.

In New Delhi, the Ministry of Water Resources said in a statement that the Rapti in Balrampur district of UP was flowing at 104.62m -- 0.63m above danger mark. The record for water level in the river was 105.25m on September 11, 2000.

According to a Central Water Commission report, after rising menacingly in Kakardhari and Bhinga yesterday, the Rapti has crossed the maximum level in Balrampur and is still rising.