Six killed as relentless rain triggers flooding, waterlogging across Uttar Pradesh

Six people were killed in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh as heavy showers, thunderstorms and strong winds disrupted life across large parts of the state, damaged crops and houses and raised the risk of flash floods.

As many as 63 districts recorded above-normal rainfall, while the state received 19 times its normal rainfall in the 24 hours ending Saturday, officials said. Heavy rain and thunderstorms over the past 48 hours damaged 117 houses, according to government sources. District magistrates have been asked to assess damage to houses and crops and ensure assistance reaches eligible families.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across several parts of Uttar Pradesh. Its latest warning places both eastern and western Uttar Pradesh under an extremely heavy rainfall warning for Saturday, followed by heavy or very heavy rain on Sunday.

Rainfall leaves trail of deaths and damage

Five people were killed in three separate mud-wall collapse incidents, while another person died after a tree fell, police said. The casualties were reported from Lakhimpur Kheri, Amethi and Barabanki districts.

In Rahmat Nagar village of Lakhimpur Kheri, three members of a family died after the mud wall of their hut collapsed while they were asleep early Saturday.

In Amethi, 32-year-old Usha Devi was killed when a wall of a dilapidated mud house collapsed in Balbhadrapur village under the Jamo police station area.

In Barabanki, 38-year-old Sunita Devi died after a mud wall collapsed in Gopalpur village under the Ramnagar police station area on Friday night.

Another rain-related death was reported from Barabanki, where 45-year-old Sanjay Verma was killed after a roadside tree fell on him in Chheda Bazar village under the Mohammadpur Khala police station area on Saturday.

Verma was returning home on his motorcycle after selling milk when the tree fell on him, killing him on the spot.

The rain also damaged standing crops in rural areas and more than 100 houses. Farmers in several districts reported crops being flattened by strong winds and rain, with concern that prolonged wet weather could cause further losses.

"If the rain and wind continue, more crops could fall, and the losses will increase," Pramod Kumar, a farmer in Hardoi, said.

The scale of the rainfall was particularly pronounced in several districts. Banda recorded 227.6 mm, Fatehgarh 224 mm, Nanpara in Bahraich 217 mm, Hardoi 214 mm, Kayamganj in Farrukhabad 210 mm, Hamirpur 210 mm and Kannauj 204 mm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am Saturday.

Farrukhabad recorded 200 times its normal rainfall, Kanpur Nagar 160 times, while Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat and Hardoi received 130 times their normal rainfall.

Lucknow recorded 125.8 mm between 8.30 am on Friday and 5.30 am on Saturday. Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, Shahjahanpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Barabanki and several other districts also received heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Depression drives intense weather

The weather system responsible for the latest spell of rain was a depression over northeast Madhya Pradesh and adjoining north Chhattisgarh. At 5.30 am on Saturday, it was centred about 230 km south of Prayagraj and was moving north-northwestwards towards southeast Uttar Pradesh.

The system was expected to remain a depression while moving towards southeast Uttar Pradesh until Saturday evening before gradually weakening into a well-marked low-pressure area over the following 12 hours.

The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible in the central Terai region. Some watersheds, or drainage basins, in central and Terai Uttar Pradesh face a light to moderate risk of flash floods over the next 24 hours.

The latest IMD warning shows extremely heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning for both eastern and western Uttar Pradesh on September 26, with heavy rain expected in the east and very heavy rain in the west on September 27. No warning is currently indicated for the state from September 28 onwards.

Gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, with squalls reaching up to 60 kmph, are also forecast across a large part of the state on Saturday, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is particularly likely in districts including Deoria, Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Basti, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki, Etah, Mainpuri and Bareilly. Several districts in eastern and southern Uttar Pradesh are also expected to receive heavy rain.

Waterlogging, traffic disruption in cities

The intense rainfall caused waterlogging and traffic disruptions at several locations, while residents in low-lying areas faced difficulties as rain continued through the night.

"Several roads were waterlogged (in the morning). Movement became difficult in many places," Praveen Singh, a local, said.

Another resident said strong winds accompanying the rain had added to the difficulties.

"The rain was heavy, and the wind was quite strong. People were forced to take shelter in many places," he said.

Ayodhya was also affected, with rain and strong winds disrupting movement around Ram Path, the Ram temple, Hanumangarhi, Kanak Bhawan and the Saryu area.

Devotees and residents faced difficulties moving through open areas as gusty winds accompanied the showers.

"The rain did not stop people from visiting the temple, but walking around became difficult because of the water and strong wind," said Ramesh Sahu, a devotee in Ayodhya.

The wider rainfall spell has also affected several parts of eastern and central Uttar Pradesh as well as the Terai and Bundelkhand regions. More rainfall was expected through Sunday.

Government puts districts on alert

The Uttar Pradesh government has put district administrations on alert because of the forecast and the possibility of flash floods.

Districts identified as vulnerable to sudden flooding include Azamgarh, Ballia, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Basti, Sultanpur, Ayodhya, Gonda, Hardoi, Lucknow, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Barabanki, Amethi, Kaushambi and Chitrakoot.

Schools have been ordered to remain closed in districts under red alert and facing the possibility of flash floods.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed district magistrates in affected districts to maintain vigilance and visit vulnerable areas. Relief and rescue agencies have been asked to remain prepared, while district administrations have been instructed to issue weather warnings.

Field officials have also been told to closely monitor waterlogged areas and move vulnerable families to safer locations wherever necessary.

Fire services, the Provincial Armed Constabulary, civil defence, home guards and Aapda Mitras have been asked to remain available for rescue operations. District magistrates have been directed to remain in the field and continuously assess the situation.

The government has also advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during thunderstorms and lightning and to stay away from open areas, trees and water bodies.

Border districts told to remain vigilant

Special vigilance has been ordered in districts bordering Nepal because of heavy rainfall in the neighbouring country's hills and the possibility of rising river levels, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The continuing rain has already caused several rivers in eastern Uttar Pradesh to swell, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable districts. Local authorities have been asked to monitor river levels and vulnerable settlements.

The Relief Commissioner said weather conditions were expected to normalise after about 36 hours and urged people requiring emergency assistance to contact the relief helpline 1070.

The Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority also lists 1070 as the state's disaster-management helpline.