In the past 24 hours, nineteen people have died in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh. This has caused the closure of schools in some areas, and over 40 mm of rain was recorded in 22 districts of the state, including Moradabad, Sambhal, Kannauj, Rampur, Hathras, Barabanki, Kasganj, Bijnor, Amroha, Bahraich, Lucknow, Badaun, Mainpuri, Hardoi, Firozabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Kanpur, Sitapur, Farrukhabad, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Fatehpur.
Four fatalities were reported from Hardoi, three from Barabanki, two each from Pratapgarh and Kannauj, and one each from Amethi, Deoria, Jalaun, Kanpur, Unnao, Sambhal, Rampur and Muzaffarnagar districts.
In response to the situation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials in the affected districts to provide aid to those affected and accelerate relief efforts.
He also discussed the importance of efficient drainage systems in waterlogged areas and the need to monitor river water levels. Furthermore, he highlighted the requirement to assess crop damage and submit a report to the government for the provision of compensation to farmers.
Heavy rains are forecasted to continue in the eastern region until September 14, with lighter rainfall expected to continue until September 17. The western part of the state is expected to receive rainfall until September 17, with a lightning alert in effect until September 15. Train services were disrupted due to waterlogging on railway tracks in Barabanki.
Additionally, the District Magistrate of Lucknow ordered the closure of schools and issued a warning to people to avoid unnecessary travel due to the risk of lightning. Meanwhile, all district-level officers in Lucknow are actively assessing the problems caused by the rain, and cow shelters are being inspected.
Reports of road collapses have come from several districts, and all schools up to class 8 have been closed in Lakhimpur Kheri due to the heavy downpour. The Nipun Assessment Test (NAT) scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in all government-run primary and upper primary schools had to be postponed due to the rain.
Officials from the relief commissioner’s office reported that 173 villages and a population of 55,982 have been affected by floods in Ballia, Barabanki, Badaun, Farrukhabad, Kasganj, Kheri, Kushinagar, Mau, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar districts. They further added that lunch packets and food grains are being distributed and vaccination of animals and medical camps are functioning. As of now, no rivers are flowing above the danger level in the state, but the Ganga in Bijnor and the Son River in Mirzapur (Bansagar dam) are exhibiting a rising trend.
