Several villages in UP's Kushinagar inundated after heavy rainfall; CM Yogi takes cognisance (Photo: IANS)
Kushinagar, September 29 (IANS): Several surrounding villages were inundated after a major embankment breach, causing severe damage along the Narayani River near Tatwa Tola in Kushinagar district.
According to reports, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed all the authorities, including the local administration, police, and disaster management and relief operation teams, to carry out rescue and relief work. Additionally, CM Adityanath sought information on the issue from the Gorakhpur commissioner, additional director general of Police, Kushinagar district magistrate, and other officials.
Speaking to IANS about the breach, a local said the situation is not good. At least 20- 25 villages have been affected. He said multiple authorities came in to assess the situation. He also said that, to protect themselves, people moved to higher ground.
Another man said, “The embankment breached at around 10:00 to 10:30 PM the previous night. At the time, no arrangements were made. When it started eroding, all the officials and administration started fleeing. No one was present at the spot. Only after the breach occurred, when the DM and SP arrived, did everyone else show up,” he said.
Asked when the breaching started and when information was sent, the local said, “For the last three days, the breach has been extending. It has gone up to at least 2 km wide, causing seepage in at least 50 places “
“The villagers are somehow sending soil here; that is the only thing being used here. I think that it will at least take ten days before the situation is controlled,” he added.
Flood Control Division Executive Engineer said, "Right now, as many boulders as could be brought along the route have been brought, and arrangements are being made."
“There is no solution till the water level drops,” a local said. “The water has crossed at least 70 meters above the normal levels,” another commented.
According to an official statement, many districts in Uttar Pradesh are reeling under heavy rains in the last three days. In response, the chief minister has directed relief and rescue operations to begin immediately. The SDRF and NDRF teams are also on a war footing, taking charge of the crisis and conducting large-scale rescue operations in the state.
