Date: 12th July 2024 (Wed)
Time: 01:00 PM (IST)
Background :
The state of Uttar Pradesh is grappling with severe flooding, affecting 16 districts and displacing over 250,000 residents. These districts include Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Basti, Shahjahanpur, Barabanki, Sitapur, Siddharthnagar, Ballia, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, and Azamgarh. The relentless downpours and rising river levels have led to significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
SITUATION UPDATE AND RESPONSE
- Approximately 18 lakh people in 923 villages in Uttar Pradesh have been affected by the floods, with 54 deaths reported in rain-related incidents.
- In the past 24 hours alone, 54 people have lost their lives due to various calamities associated with the flooding. Among the dead, lightning strikes have claimed numerous lives, with 12 fatalities reported in Pratapgarh, seven in Sultanpur, and six in Chandauli.
- A report from the relief commissioner’s office states that 43 people died due to lightning in 10 districts, while 9 deaths were due to drowning in four districts and 2 deaths due to snake bites in 2 districts.
- The districts affected by lightning deaths include Pratapgarh (14), Sultanpur (7), Fatehpur (6), Chandauli (6), Prayagraj (4), Hamirpur (2), and one each in Unnao, Amethi, Etawah, and Sonbhadra.
- In Mairund village, some families are living on the roofs of their houses due to the Rapti river and are not being provided any facilities by the government. The relief camps set up have food, water, and toilets but lack arrangements for alternative education.
- More than one lakh people from 123 villages in Lakhimpur Kheri are affected, with pulses and oilseeds crops completely destroyed. Floods have also caused damage to crops in Sitapur and Pilibhit, and there is a significant problem of animal fodder due to waterlogged areas.
- In Gorakhpur division, two villages, Gahira and Chakira of Sahjanwa tehsil, have been completely marooned by the Ami river. In Kushinagar, the paddy crop has been completely submerged by the Narayani (Gandak) river, and waterlogging will prevent future crop growth.
- Approximately 1,91,515 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged in the floods.
- Several rivers are flowing above the danger level, including the Sharda River in Lakhimpur Kheri, the Ghaghra River in Barabanki, Ayodhya, and Ballia, the Rapti River in Gorakhpur, the Budhi Rapti in Siddharth Nagar, and the Kuwano River in Gonda.
Statistical Updates
No. of District Affected: 16
No. of People Affected: 1.8 Million
Number of Causalities: 53
Villages Affected – 923
Displaced Population – 2,50,000
Flood Situation in Bahraich
GOVERNMENT PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE
- The NDRF and SDRF teams have relocated 10,996 people to safer locations due to flooding.
- The Chief Minister has ordered inquiries into officials from five districts accused of negligence in flood management and crop damage assessment.
- Additionally, the Chief Minister has announced a reward of one lakh rupees each for five individuals, including a woman who reported flood victims in Shravasti and PAC personnel involved in the rescue operations.
- A total of 108 relief camps have been opened and 235 inmates accommodated in relief camps.
- A total of 12 NDRF rescue teams along with boats and other necessary equipment are deployed in the State for rescue and relief operation