Heavy rains, floods affect north India: UP, Delhi brace for more rainfall

Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 10 : Heavy rainfall has caused flooding across 12 districts in Uttar Pradesh, severely affecting more than 100 villages and croplands. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected flood-hit areas in districts like Lakhimpur Kheri and Pilibhit, distributing relief materials and meeting with affected residents.
Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR received heavy rainfall on Wednesday, leading to severe waterlogging. Delhi Minister Atishi assured that the state government is prepared to take swift action in response to any flood-like situation, as weather department forecasts more rainfall for north and northeast India in the coming days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted more rainfall in north and northeast India, including East Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and other parts of the country in coming days.

After conducting an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Kheri, the Uttar Pradesh CM said, "133 villages are flood-affected due to heavy rainfall in the first week itself of July. Thousands of hectares of cropland and crops have been affected. Public representatives and local administration are working hard. Near Sharada Barrage and other areas, due to timely precautions against flood, a large loss of life and property could be averted."
"Due to the timely efforts of your MLAs and public representatives, a large population could be saved from floods. But, due to the release of large amounts of water from Nepal and Uttarakhand, the water level of rivers rose a lot due to which, we are facing a flood in the first week of July itself. NDRF, SDRF, and PAC food units have been deployed here, and local divers have also been stationed. Directions have been given to arrange for boats in every Gram Panchayat. Here, 38 'baadh chauki' have been established. As of now, 12 districts of the state are flood-affected. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing at war footing in all of these districts," CM Yogi added.

Notably, many villages in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri have been affected by the overflow of water from the Sharda River due to heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. Houses have been damaged in affected villages and people have been forced to shift in makeshift houses. Sources of livelihood in the villages including farmlands have been destroyed. Consequently, villagers have been forced to cross waterlogged areas to buy essential commodities like milk, vegetables, etc.

Speaking on the current monsoon conditions in the country, IMD scientist Soma Sen said, "If we look at the current situation, monsoon trough surface is still in the Bay of Bengal in wake of which moisture continues a bit in North India. But in the upper levels, the monsoon trough has begun shifting towards the north. Due to this, rainfall will increase in north and northeast India. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, West Assam, and West Meghalaya are likely to experience extremely heavy rainfall and are likely to experience it tomorrow as well..."
"In the rest of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is likely to experience very heavy rainfall. Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh will experience extremely heavy rainfall. Bihar is likely to experience extremely heavy rainfall tomorrow too...On 12th July, rainfall is likely to increase across the entire north India. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, the Himalayan region, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh are likely to experience heavy rainfall. In central India, there is a cyclonic circulation over Gujarat today. Due to this, moisture is entering from the Arabian Sea too. This is very significant for Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where heavy rainfall was witnessed today too. This will increase tomorrow in MP and Rajasthan...In Gujarat, there is extremely heavy rainfall warning for today...this will go down slightly from tomorrow..." Sen added.

Elaborating on the current situation in Himachal Pradesh due to the monsoon, IMD scientist Surender Paul said, "There has been good rainfall in July. There has been 33pc more rainfall since July 1. Three districts of the state, Una, Lahaul-Spiti and Sirmaur district have received less rainfall... Rainfall activity will increase from July 20... Heavy rainfall has been warned on July 11-12... We have issued a yellow alert... There is also a possibility of flash floods in the state ..."

Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi visited the Yamuna River at Loha Pul and the low-lying area of Yamuna Bazar to review the flood preparedness for the monsoon season.
After the visit, Atishi said, "Last year, Delhi had the highest water level in 40 years. This year, we have already started preparing for any flood situation that arises due to rain... Yamuna Bazar is the lowest-lying area in Delhi and was the first to get flooded last year. I have come with all officers of the Revenue Department and Irrigation and Flood Department to assess the situation. The Delhi government is prepared to take action in cases of flood even at short notice."