Lucknow, Read: Due to the pressure and cyclonic condition of the Bay of Bengal, heavy rains are continuing in Uttar Pradesh, due to which an alert has been declared in many districts. In view of the warning of rain, storm and lightning, the government has given instructions to exercise special vigilance till September 27. Alert has been issued for 59 districts of the state. Relief Commissioner Dr. Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod reviewed the preparations by video conferencing with the District Magistrates of Red and Orange alert districts. He asked the District Magistrates to be active in the field and ensure immediate action on every weather warning. Schools have been closed in many districts including Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Mirzapur. Due to continuous rain and cold wind, the maximum temperature has dropped by five to ten degrees Celsius.

Alert of heavy rain and thunder from 25 to 27 September

According to the weather headquarters located in Amausi, there is a possibility of very heavy rain in Eastern UP on 25th and 26th September and heavy rain with thunderstorms and strong winds on 27th September. There is also an alert of heavy rain and thunder in Western UP from 25 to 27 September. At the same time, due to heavy rains, ready crops are suffering huge losses. This unseasonal rain and strong storm that came just before harvesting has ruined months of hard work of the farmers. In many districts of the state including Barabanki, Gonda, Fatehpur and Shravasti, paddy crops that were completely ready for harvesting have fallen on the ground due to strong wind and water. Heavy damage is certain to be caused to pulses and oilseed crops like urad, moong, sesame as well as vegetables like early potatoes, peas, tomatoes, gourd, pumpkin, cauliflower, cabbage and coriander.

Special vigilance in red alert districts

In view of the red alert, instructions have been given for special vigilance in Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur. Even in the districts under orange alert, officials have been asked to keep a constant vigil.

Relief agencies prepared for possibility of flood

There is a possibility of flash flood in some watershed areas of many districts including Azamgarh, Ballia, Ghazipur, Mau, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Siddharthnagar, Basti, Balrampur, Ayodhya, Gonda, Shravasti, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Lucknow, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Barabanki. In such areas, security and relief agencies have been asked to be prepared as per need.

Report: Arpit Shukla