India – Floods Affect 2 Million in Uttar Pradesh as West Rapti River Reaches Record High

Flooding has affected around 2 million people in 24 districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, over the last 7 days. At least 72 fatalities have been reported.

Uttar Pradesh is the fourth Indian state to be hit by major flooding in the last 2 weeks. Assam, Bihar and West Bengal have all seen major flooding affecting millions and leaving hundreds dead.

Rivers in Uttar Pradesh are at or above warning levels in at least 9 locations in the state, according to India’s Central Water Commission. Rivers increased after high levels of rainfall from 10 August in parts of the state and river catchments in Nepal, which as also seen devastating flooding over recent days.

River at Record High

The West Rapti river at Bansi, Siddharthnagar District, stands at a record high level of 85.86 metres (as of 22 August, 2017), beating the previous high of 84.9 metres set in 1998. Danger level at Bansi is 83.9 metres.

Thousands Evacuated

Teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary and Indian military have been carrying out flood rescues and evacuations. State government officials said that 92,125 people have been safely evacuated or rescued by rescue teams.

The government of Uttar Pradesh said that 249 relief camps have been set up to house those forced from their homes. Furthermore, 191 relief distribution centres have also been set up to distribute food and relief supplies.

Affected Areas

According to NDRF reports, rescues and evacuations have been carried out in the following districts: Balarampur, Bahraich, Shravasti, Maharajganj, Barabanki, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gorakhpur and Siddharthnagar.

Train Derailment

A train derailed in Khatauli, Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday 19 August. At least 23 people are known to have died and dozens were injured. The cause of the derailment is as yet unknown, although it is not thought to be a result of flooding or heavy rain.

Social Media

Trained rescuers of NDRF and @IAF_MCC rescued 44 persons from Village Satwari, Bangra and Tadiya Bazar, of Siddharthnagar district Up. pic.twitter.com/6yKPXy2QkS

— NDRF (@NDRFHQ) August 20, 2017

Pics of flood relief in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Gorakhpur district by the Army on August 19 August. @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/oUgRQ7Zulg

— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) August 21, 2017

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