VARANASI: Heavy rain and swelling rivers disrupted life across parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, with authorities shutting schools in Lakhimpur, boats entering waterlogged lanes in Varanasi and residents being evacuated in flood-hit Chitrakoot.In Varanasi, the rising Ganga triggered a flood-like situation, forcing cremations at the Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats to be shifted to rooftops and nearby bylanes after the traditional cremation areas were inundated, news agency PTI reported.The Central Water Commission (CWC) recorded the Ganga at 70.28 metres at 10am, above the warning level of 70.26 metres but below the danger mark of 71.262 metres.The river was rising at around 0.5cm per hour, according to the CWC. The highest-ever water level recorded in Varanasi is 73.901 metres.District officials said boats were being operated in several waterlogged lanes. Several families living in areas along the Varuna river had already been evacuated and moved to relief camps.The flood situation worsened in Chitrakoot, where the Mandakini river was flowing around four metres above the danger mark following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, commissioner of Chitrakoot Dham division Ajit Kumar said.Kumar and DIG Rajesh S inspected affected areas on Tuesday and reviewed ongoing relief and rescue operations.Several religious sites, including Ramghat and Nirmohi Akhara, were waterlogged. Affected residents were shifted to safer locations and provided food and other assistance, officials said.A bridge connecting Ramghat and Nayagaon was also damaged, prompting police teams to be deployed on both sides, Kumar said.DIG Rajesh said SDRF and NDRF teams were rescuing people trapped in floodwaters, while Army helicopters had been used to evacuate several people.Police and administrative personnel remained deployed in Pahadi, Rajapur and Manikpur areas of the district.In Lakhimpur, rising water in the Sharda river disrupted train services on the Mailani-Nanpara section.Water seepage between Bhira and Palia stations led to the suspension of around half a dozen trains.North Eastern Railway PRO Mahesh Gupta said services between Mailani, Bichhia and Nanpara would remain suspended until further orders.In view of the heavy rain, district basic education officer Pravin Tiwari also announced a holiday for all educational institutions up to Class 8 in Lakhimpur on Tuesday.The situation along the Nepal border also remained a concern, with water levels in the Mohana and Karnali rivers rising in the Tikunia area of Nighasan tehsil.Both rivers originate in Nepal, and their unregulated flow affects several border villages in Kheri, including areas around Dudhwa National Park.With water levels continuing to rise in several parts of the state, local administrations and rescue agencies remained deployed in vulnerable areas.(With agency inputs)
