In the backdrop of the terrible tragedy that unravelled in Uttarakhand by heavy rainfall and cloudburst, Uttar Pradesh is now on high alert over preparedness against a potential flood situation.
The government has deployed 17 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) companies in the flood prone districts, mostly in the ‘terai’ region in the foothills of the Himalayas.
The flood prone districts in UP are Muzaffarnagar, Bijnore, Amroha, Lahimpur Kheri, Barabanki, Pilibhit, Saharanpur, Bahraich, Balrampur, Sitapur, Basti, Gonda and Sant Kabirnagar.
Some of the rivers were in spate in the last couple of days inundating several villages, especially in Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur. However, the water level had receded since there had been no fresh rainfall either in the state or in Uttarakhand.
Upon direction by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the government has allocated Rs 50 lakh each to the districts most vulnerable to floods.
The state chief secretary had directed the principal secretaries to visit flood affected districts personally and monitor relief and rescue operations. Besides, the respective district magistrates had been asked to daily update the government about the ground situation.
The government had already set up 24-hour helpline in these districts.
The irrigation department engineers have been mandated to maintain vigil on any breach in embankments and subsequent inundation and flooding of surrounding areas.
About half-dozen rivers flowing from Nepal to the terai and Purvanchal (eastern) regions of UP cause havoc every year during the rainy season.
The major rivers originating from Nepal include Sharda, Rapti and Kuano. Another river Girwa meets Saryu at Gonda and forms the mighty Ghagra river. These ravaging rivers cause major destruction to crops, livestock and human lives in Bahraich, Kheri, Gorakhpur, Balrampur, Basti, Barabanki, Gonda etc.
Besides, the government has deployed 100 buses for evacuating tourists arriving from Uttarakhand. The transport authorities in Meerut, Saharanpur and Moradabad have been directed to offer free rides to such stranded passengers.
