Flash flood threat looms large as torrential rains batter UP, CM Yogi asks DMs to rush to the ground
Lucknow, September 26: Amid relentless downpours in Uttar Pradesh, the Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in eight districts, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered District Magistrates to rush to the ground, oversee relief and rescue operations, and take swift measures to safeguard vulnerable populations against the rising threat of flash floods.
Chief Minister has directed people living in dilapidated houses and huts to be evacuated to the nearest relief shelters as needed, and to continuously monitor river water levels and flood-prone areas, and to exercise special vigilance in flood-prone areas. Instructions have also been given to close schools in areas with red alerts and flash flood threats, depending on local conditions.
According to the Meteorological Department, from 8:30 am on September 26 to 8:30 am on September 27th, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit , Shahjahanpur and surrounding areas. In addition, heavy to very heavy rainfall alert has been issued in Basti, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Hardoi, Lucknow, Barabanki, Bijnor, Amroha, Moradabad, Sambhal, and Badaun. Heavy rainfall warnings have also been issued in several other districts in the eastern, central, and western parts of the state.
Rain continues in several cities of the state, including the capital Lucknow and Kanpur. The Lucknow Airport Weather Station recorded 86.6 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm on Friday. Due to the rain, many low-lying areas of Lucknow have been waterlogged. In Kanpur, continuous rain has also affected traffic at many places. Kanpur city recorded 32.2 mm of rain in 24 hours. Banda recorded 146 mm of rain, Bahraich 103.6 mm, Barabanki 62.4 mm, and Hamirpur 54 mm. Hardoi recorded 37 mm, Lakhimpur Kheri 35 mm, and Shahjahanpur 33.8 mm of rain.
According to Lucknow’s senior meteorologist Atul Kumar Singh, the impact of a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has activated monsoon activity in Uttar Pradesh. This has increased the intensity of rainfall in many parts of the state.
He said that heavy rain is expected in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Terai region, and some parts of central Uttar Pradesh during the next 24 hours. The rain may be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. He urged people to heed weather warnings and avoid waterlogged areas and rivers and streams.
The weather expert has predicted thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour, in several districts. In some places, gusts of wind speed could reach 60 kilometers per hour. The impact could be felt in several districts , including Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Basti, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, Lucknow, Barabanki, Ayodhya, Saharanpur, Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Sambhal, and Badaun.
The administration is closely monitoring the catchment areas of the state’s major rivers, including Ghaghra, Saryu, Rapti, Sharda, Ganga, Ramganga, and Gomti, amid incessant rainfall. Special vigilance is being maintained in the riverside areas of the Terai region and Purvanchal.
Riverside areas, including Bahraich, Shravasti, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Gonda, Balrampur, Basti, Siddharthnagar, Gorakhpur, Barabanki, Ayodhya, and Ballia, are being monitored for rising water levels and waterlogging. The Balrampur region of the Rapti River is also under surveillance. In the event of increased rainfall, the risk of flooding in low-lying areas may increase.
Schools closed in several districts, including Lucknow and Kanpur, in light of heavy rainfall and the Meteorological Department’s warning, orders have been issued to close schools in several districts, including Lucknow and Kanpur. In Lucknow, teaching has been suspended on Saturday in schools from pre-primary to grade 12, as well as in higher education, technical, and vocational institutions. In other districts, instructions have been given to close schools based on local conditions.
Due to continuous rain and waterlogging, passengers arriving at Lucknow Airport have been advised to leave home with extra time. Considering the possibility of traffic disruption and traffic jams on many routes in the city due to the rain, passengers have been asked to arrive at the airport well in advance of their flight departures.
According to the Met officials, rain is likely to continue in many parts of the state until September 27. Heavy rain is expected at some places in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Terai region, and the central region.
The administration and the Meteorological Department have appealed to the public to avoid going near rivers, streams, ponds, and waterlogged areas, to avoid unnecessary travel, and to avoid standing in open spaces or under trees during thunderstorms. People have been asked to follow the warnings and instructions issued by the local administration.
