The flood situation in Uttar Pradesh continues to be grim. Bahraich, Lakhimpur Khiri, Sitapur, Shrawasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts are reeling under the flood waters of Ghaghra, Saryu, Rapti and other mountain rivers originating from Nepal.
The administration has resumed distribution of food packets through helicopters since early morning. Authorities said that water level is receding in river Ghaghra in Bahraich and Gonda districts giving some reprieve to the flood victims. However, the water level of Rapti is still flowing above the danger mark at all the places.
AIR correspondent quoting state relief commissioner KS Atoria reports ? that relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing in all the flood affected areas. Atoria said that over six lakh population of ten districts is affected in the floods.
He said that all arrangements including medical aid, food and civil supplies, help to livestock and other emergent conditions are in place. He, however could not confirm the exact number of the human loss due to flood. He said that 28 bodies have been recovered and many more may be found later when the water level recedes further.
In Bihar, nearly four lakh people are affected by floods in several districts including Saharsa, Darbhanga, West Champaran and Nalanda districts. State Chief Secretary along with top officials made an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas yesterday.
Four teams of National Disaster Response Force are being rushed to Bihar from Kolkata to assist the already eights teams working in the state.
In Jammu and Kashmir flash flood triggered by heavy rains has washed away three-tier border fencing in a 200-metre stretch along the India-Pakistan border in Samba district, causing damage to a few border out-posts.
A BSF official said in Jammu that water level in Basantar River increased rapidly at Kamore border belt in Samba district due to incessant rains, resulting in sudden overflow of water. It damaged the recently re-constructed anti-flood embankment at Kamore.
Nearly 190 kms of international border,from Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu to Pathankot is fenced to stop cross-border infiltration and smuggling of narcotics and weapons into the state. The official said, troops guarding the border are keeping a close watch on the situation in view of the threat of infiltration from across the border.
In Himachal Pradesh, the heavy rain and cloudburst during past few days had caused havoc in Dharampur area of the Sarkaghat sub-division in Mandi district. About 300 cattle heads are reported to have been buried alive in the cowsheds collapse.
Nearly 250 houses have been also damaged in 20 villages in Dharampur area of Mandi District. Hundreds of villagers moved to safer places abandoning their homes. Large areas have been plunged into darkness due to power failure for the last five days.
In Assam, 41 revenue circles of 13 districts affected in current surge of water though situation in Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts have slightly improved. Official sources said 3 lakh 64 thousand population at 849 villages’ are reeling under the fury of floods. 38 thousand affected people have taken shelter at 27 government run relief camps. Several rivers including the Brahmaputra are flowing above the danger mark. The army has been deployed for rescue work in the Nagaon district.
Central government is constantly monitoring the flood situation in various states. A senior official in the Home Ministry said, necessary assistance is being extended to the states that are carrying out rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas.
