12 more rain-related deaths in Uttar Pradesh, increases toll to 24

Incidents of wall and house collapse were reported from Chitrakoot, Pratapgarh, Amethi and Sultanpur districts leading to loss of 12 more lives, officials said on Friday.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reviewed the situation arising out of excessive rainfall in the state and directed officials to carry out prompt relief works and extend immediate help to the affected persons.

In a meeting with senior officials, the chief minister directed for making immediate drainage arrangements in waterlogged localities both in the urban and rural areas besides all necessary arrangements to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, a state government spokesperson said. The chief minister directed the officials of the health department to maintain the availability of all essential medicines and staff, including doctors, paramedics in primary/community health centres and district hospitals, while ensuring fogging and anti-larva spray in urban and rural areas.

He also instructed for extending permissible financial assistance to the affected persons promptly, the spokesperson said.

In view of the continued rains, Adityanath had on Thursday directed the closure of all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, for two days on September 17 and 18. The schools will now reopen on Monday.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh recorded 40.3 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, UP Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad said. A senior official said no district in the state was on red alert and Prayagraj and Pratapgarh districts on orange alert on Friday evening. “All other districts have either green or yellow alert,” said the official.

A total of 33 districts recorded more than 25 mm rain in the last 24 hours. Azamgarh (215 mm) recorded the highest rainfall followed by Ayodhya (178.2 mm), Sitapur (135 mm), Kannauj (134 mm) and Barabanki (133.1 mm).

As per a statement issued by Prasad, total 506 villages in 13 districts were affected by floods. Of these villages, 473 villages were in Gorakhpur, according to the statement.

“There are a total of 12 districts which have received more than 120 per cent of rainfall, with 38 receiving normal rain between 80 and 120 per cent, and the rest less than 80 per cent in the last 24 hours,” said the statement.

According to the Irrigation department, the Ganga in Badaun, the Sharda river in Ballia, the Rapti river in Gorakhpur and the Kuwano river in Gonda were flowing above the danger mark, said the statement.