Flood situation still grim in UP

Several rivers continued to flow above the danger mark in Uttar Pradesh, where 28 districts remained affected by floods, officials said today.
According to a Central Water Commission report, a relatively lesser amount of rainfall had caused decrease in water levels of Ganga and Yamuna at some places.
Ganga's water level is decreasing in Fatehgarh, Ankinghat, Fafamau and Chhatnag in Allahabad, Varanasi and Ballia, Yamuna's water level is decreasing in Kalpi, Hamirpur, Chillaghat (Banda) and Naini (Allahabad), the report said.
However, other rivers are still flowing above danger mark in these places.
River Sharda is rising in Palliakalan (Kheri), where it is one metre above the danger mark.

"28 districts are still flood affected and relief and rescue operations are on," Relief Commissioner's office said.

"A total of 8.7 lakh people in 987 villages in Varanasi, Allahabad, Ghazipur and Ballia are affected due to flood," it said.
Cabinet Minister Shivpal Yadav visited Ballia to take stock of the ground reality and directed officers to ensure relief works on war footing.
"No laxity will be tolerated in these works. There would be no shortage of funds for the purpose," he said, adding that "over two lakh people were affected due to floods in the district".
Officers have been directed by the Chief Secretary not to sanction leaves of employees involved in relief works unless it is urgent.