44 mins ago
Uttar Pradesh Rains Leave 56 Dead, Trigger Flood Threats
Heavy rain fell across Uttar Pradesh for about three days.
Storms and flooding killed 56 people and injured 46 others.
More than 1,000 houses were damaged, and many roads, villages and fields were covered with water.
Strong winds also knocked down trees and electricity poles.
The Ghagra and Rapti rivers rose to dangerous levels in some places.
Rescue workers moved people from flooded areas to safer locations.
The weather system became weaker on Sunday, so the rain was expected to lessen.
Officials told people to avoid floodwaters and fast-moving rivers.
Political leaders also argued about whether the Ganga Expressway handled the rain properly.
Rain and storm-related incidents killed 56 people and injured 46 in Uttar Pradesh between September 25 and the morning of September 27.
Sitapur recorded the highest number of deaths at seven, while Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich and Balrampur reported five each.
The three-day wet spell damaged 1,021 houses, standing crops, roads and infrastructure across several districts.
The Ghagra and Rapti rivers rose above warning or danger levels, threatening low-lying areas with flooding.
The weather system weakened on Sunday, while rescue teams evacuated stranded residents and officials assessed damage and relief needs.
- Who
- Residents of Uttar Pradesh, rescue teams, state relief officials, the India Meteorological Department and the Central Water Commission were involved; Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the state government.
- What
- Rain and storm-related incidents caused 56 deaths, 46 injuries, flooding, waterlogging and damage to 1,021 houses.
- Where
- Across Uttar Pradesh, with major impacts reported in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Balrampur, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Unnao, Lucknow and other districts.
- When
- The deaths and injuries were recorded between September 25 and the morning of September 27; the weather system weakened on Sunday.
- Why
- A depression brought unusually heavy rain and strong winds before weakening into a well-marked low-pressure area.
Government and Project Officials
Opposition Criticism
Ganga Expressway conditions
Government and Project Officials
Project manager R. S. Mishra said the expressway remained fully operational and traffic movement was normal, with waterlogging reported only at one Unnao ramp.
Opposition Criticism
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government over waterlogging and suggested renaming the road the “Ganga Express Waterway.”
Cause of waterlogging
Government and Project Officials
The project manager said drainage at the Unnao ramp was partly affected by the relatively low height of a nearby high-tension power line, and officials were coordinating on its relocation.
Opposition Criticism
Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism presented the waterlogging as evidence of shortcomings in the government’s handling of the expressway during the rains.
Key facts
- Deaths
- 56 people died in rain- and storm-related incidents.
- Injuries
- 46 people were injured.
- Houses damaged
- 1,021 houses were damaged.
- Rainfall
- The state received 45.1 mm of rain in 24 hours, compared with a normal 1.8 mm.
- Most deaths
- Sitapur recorded seven deaths; Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich and Balrampur recorded five each.
- River threat
- The Ghagra and Rapti rivers were rising, with some readings above warning or danger levels.
- Emergency help
- The relief commissioner's office helpline was listed as 1070.
Quotes
R S Mishra
Ganga Expressway project manager
“there was no waterlogging anywhere on the expressway except at one ramp in Unnao, where drainage had been affected partly due to the relatively low height of a high-tension power line near the ramp.”
CNBC TV 18
“the expressway remained fully operational and traffic movement was normal despite the unusually heavy rainfall.”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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