Rapti maintains high level as UP flood woes continue

The Rapti river in Uttar Pradesh continues to maintain an alarming level and is flowing above the danger mark, causing concern in the flood-affected state.
At 1500hrs today, the river was flowing, with a falling trend, at a level of 105.26m at Balrampur, which is 0.64m above its danger level of 104.62m, the Ministry of Water Resources said here.
The river had set a Highest Flood Level (HFL) record of 105.25m on Sept.11, 2000, which was breached for the first time on Aug.17 when, according to the ministry, its level touched 105.47m.
According to Central Water Commission (CWC) Chairman AB Pandey, the rise in its water level has triggered an unprecedented flood situation.

Asked whether any specific advisory has been issued over the situation, he said that a standard operating procedure is in place wherein information is provided on its flow.
According to reports, 15 persons died in the last 24 hours in flood-related incidents in UP.

While eight persons died in Bahraich district, three casualties each were reported in Shravasti and Balrampur and one person was killed in Lakhimpur, taking the toll in the state to 63, sources said.
More than 3 lakh people in 1,206 hamlets of 220 villages have been hit by floods in Bahraich district where relief and rescue work is being carried out by NDRF, PAC, SSB, police and revenue personnel along with voluntary organisations.

In Shravasti, around 60,000 people have been affected in more than 100 villages of Bhinga and Ikauna tehsils. Officials said that although flood waters are receding, there is a threat of rivers breaching their banks at a number of places.