UP Rains Turn Deadly, 67 People Killed in Three Days; Farmers Face Heavy Crop Losses

UP: Due to the impact of the cyclonic system 'Arnab' arising from the Bay of Bengal, there is continuous rain in many states. Life has been affected due to heavy rains in many states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. The rain that started in Uttar Pradesh from Thursday evening subsided somewhat by Sunday, but it has caused massive damage. Till Sunday, 67 people have been reported dead in rain-related accidents in the state, while the official figure is said to be 56.

How much destruction was caused by rain in UP?

Incessant rains in Uttar Pradesh have increased problems in many districts. There is a possibility of huge damage to Kharif and pulses crops due to waterlogging in the fields. The early paddy crop has fallen in the fields, while the crops of sesame, jowar, bajra, urad and moong have also been affected.

Relief Commissioner Dr Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod talked to the District Magistrates and Additional District Magistrates of the affected districts on Sunday and reviewed the relief and rescue operations. Till Saturday night, 49 deaths were reported in the state, while on Sunday, 18 more deaths were reported.

How much more rain than normal?

Between September 25 and 27, Uttar Pradesh recorded several times more rainfall than normal. The rainfall figures in these three days were extremely high compared to the long term average. According to the Meteorological Department, this much rainfall is considered unusual.

According to the Relief Commissioner, from the morning of 25th to 27th September, 66.5 mm rainfall was recorded in the state, whereas the normal rainfall during this period is 7.6 mm. Excessive rainfall was recorded in 56 out of 75 districts of the state.

Which districts received the most rainfall?

Many districts including Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Shahjahanpur, Hamirpur and Mahoba were badly affected due to rain. Farrukhabad recorded 7385 per cent more rainfall than normal, Kannauj 5664 per cent, Shahjahanpur 4408 per percent, Hamirpur 4240 per cent and Mahoba 4100 per cent more rainfall.

Due to continuous rain, there is waterlogging in many areas. Concern has also increased regarding water leakage due to the subsidence of a part of Bhakra Nangal Dam in Rampur.

What happened due to embankment breach in Bihar?

In Bihar too, heavy rains and rising water levels of rivers have increased the problem. An embankment about 50 feet long of the Tirhut canal broke near Raksa village of Muzaffarpur late Saturday night. Along with this, the road built on the embankment was also washed away.

Due to breach of embankment, paddy crops grown in about 500 acres got submerged in water. 34 villages have been hit by floods after 5 lakh 1 thousand 650 cusecs of water was released from Gandak Barrage in West Champaran on Sunday evening.

In which areas of Bihar the risk of flood has increased?

Apart from many villages of West Champaran, floodwater has also entered schools. Water has also reached Valmikinagar and Madanpur forest areas of Valmiki Tiger Reserve. All 36 gates of Gandak Barrage have been opened.

In Sitamarhi, Bagmati river is flowing 30 centimetres above the danger mark and Lalbakeya river is flowing eight centimetres above the danger mark. At the same time, Kosi river water has entered about 300 houses in Madhepur, Madhubani.

What is the situation in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan?

So far, six people have died in rain-related accidents in Chhattisgarh, while four people are reported missing. Nine people trapped in Lomas Rishi Ashram and Cowshed of Rajim in Gariaband district were rescued and brought out safely.

Rain has also been recorded in many districts of Rajasthan. The weather has changed due to rain in Sikar, Churu, Tonk and Jaisalmer. Amidst the continuous rains, relief and rescue work is going on by the administration in the affected areas.