17,500 evacuated, 3.53 lakh affected as floods hit Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has shifted more than 17,500 people from flood-hit areas as rescue teams continue relief operations. Despite 3.53 lakh people and over 45,000 animals being affected, no deaths have been reported so far.
More than 17,500 people have been evacuated from 26 flood-affected areas across Uttar Pradesh, with no loss of life or livestock reported so far, the state government said on Friday.
The Relief Commissioner's office said around 3.53 lakh people have been affected by the floods, while 4,847 people are currently staying in relief shelters.
The government said 1,312 flood shelters have been set up across the state, with 1,634 flood outposts, 1,697 boats and motorboats, and 1,068 medical teams deployed in the affected areas as rescue and relief operations continue.
As part of the relief effort, 72,897 food packets and 3,67,551 lunch packets have been distributed among affected people. More than 5.52 lakh chlorine tablets and 1.87 lakh ORS packets have also been supplied as part of health and sanitation measures. Over 5,000 quintals of fodder have been provided for livestock.
More than 45,000 animals have been affected by the floods, but no livestock deaths have been reported, according to the government.
The 26 affected districts are Amroha, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Badaun, Ballia, Barabanki, Basti, Chandauli, Farrukhabad, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Kasganj, Kanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Pilibhit, Prayagraj, Raebareli, Rampur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Unnao and Varanasi.
In Chitrakoot, the water level of the Mandakini River has fallen to 128 metres from its peak of 135.20 metres recorded on August 29. Authorities, however, continue to monitor the situation and carry out relief operations.
A total of 688 people have been evacuated to safer locations, while 13,906 people across 36 affected villages have received assistance. The affected villages include 19 in Karwi, seven in Rajapur and 10 in Manikpur.
The administration has distributed 28,803 lunch packets and 2,065 relief kits in the affected areas. Eighteen flood shelters are operational, while 28 medical teams equipped with ambulances and medicines have been deployed.
The government said 653 houses suffered partial damage in the floods. Financial assistance of Rs 7.52 lakh has been transferred to the accounts of 188 affected beneficiaries, while Rs 1.20 lakh has been provided in one case of complete damage. Payments in other cases are being processed.
A 30-member National Disaster Response Force team and two State Disaster Response Force teams comprising 27 personnel have also been deployed in the district. Authorities are conducting crop-loss surveys to assess the damage suffered by farmers.
In Ghazipur, police and the administration rescued 12 shepherds and more than 2,000 sheep stranded on an island near Duhia Saraiya after the Ganga River's water level rose.
The rescue operation lasted around six hours. A joint police-administration team reached Dadri Ghat after receiving information late at night and used a night-vision drone to locate the stranded shepherds and animals.
The PAC flood company, police and administrative teams, along with local boatmen, then carried out the rescue operation. No loss of life was reported.
The state government said relief, rescue, health and sanitation measures remain underway across the flood-hit districts, with evacuations continuing and no deaths of people or livestock reported so far.