No let up in flood fury in eastern Uttar Pradesh

There was no let up in the flood fury in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh today as the raging waters of the rivers originating from Nepal caused havoc in vast swathes of human habitation.

The current spell of floods had claimed 36 lives in the state till yesterday.

Reports reaching here said Army choppers, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary's (PAC) flood battalion carried on with the relief-and-rescue operations round-the-clock in the severelyhit areas of the 22 flood-affected districts of the state.

Sources in the government said over 15 lakh people were affected due to the floods.

Release of water into the rivers originating from Nepal and incessant rains impeded the rescue work and evacuation of people to safer areas, they added.

Eleven companies of NDRF, 17 companies of PAC (flood), along with two choppers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and several columns of Army personnel, were working round-theclock to save lives and properties in the affected areas.

A Central Water Commission (CWC) report here said the Sharda river was flowing above the 'red' mark at Palia and near the danger mark at Shardanagar, while the Ghaghra was flowing well above the 'red' mark at Elgin Bridge, Ayodhya and Turtipar.

The Rapti river was also flowing well above the 'red' mark at Balrampur, Bansi, Rigauli and Birdghat, while the Budhi Rapti was flowing above the danger level at Kakrahi.