Rains lash North, 5 die in UP

Rains lashed most parts of North India today as five persons lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh taking the death toll in the state to 156, while most rivers in the region were flowing to their brim.
Heavy rains lashed the national capital today bringing with it the perennial problem of water-logging which caused heavy traffic jams on various arterial roads.
The minimum temperature this morning in the city was recorded at 26.7 degrees Celsius against yesterday's 23 degrees.
In Uttar Pradesh, while two persons died in Bahraich district, one life each was lost in Barabanki, Hardoi and Lakhimpur districts, according to Relief Commissioner's office.

Major rivers were flowing near or above the danger mark.
A report from Barabanki said release of over two lakhs cusec of water from Ghaghara River by Nepal two days ago has adversely hit several villages in three tehsils of the district.

Another report from Gonda said that several villages in two tehsils have been hit and villagers have been forced to take shelter on embankments.
According to Meteorological department, Siddhauli recorded 10 cm rainfall followed by Deoband and Balrampur 9 cm each, Amethi 7 cm, Saharanpur 6 cm, Moradabad, Banda and Unnao 5 cm each.
Central Water Commission sources said the Ganga river continues to flow close to the danger mark at Fatehgarh, Ankinghat (Kanpur dehat), Kanpur and Ballia while the Sharda river was flowing above the red mark at Palia Kalan and close to the red mark at Shardanagar.

Ghaghra river was rising menacingly and was flowing above the red mark at Elgin Bridge in Barabanki, Ayodhya and Turtipar in Ballia, the sources said.
Most parts in Rajasthan also got downpour.
Kota in Rajasthan recorded maximum of 56.6 mm rainfall till evening, Met said.
Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Churu, Pilani, Jodhpur and Dabok recorded 24, 20, 12.2, 6.2, 4.9 and 2.7 mm rains during the period.