Monsoon Havoc: Yogi says 21 districts hit by flood, visits affected areas

Indian Express

a day ago

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected regions from Agra to Auraiya, said continuous heavy rainfall over the past 10 to 15 days has led to flooding in 21 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking with mediapersons in Auraiya, the chief minister said that in order to speed up relief efforts and provide financial aid to affected families, the government has deployed 16 NDRF teams, 18 SDRF teams, and 31 PAC flood units across the flood-hit districts of the state. Over 1,250 boats have also been arranged in all 21 affected districts to facilitate rescue operations and ensure safe evacuation of citizens.
More than 5,000 families in 12 villages of Auraiya alone have been hit by flooding in the Yamuna river, the CM said, adding 'this situation has arisen due to the rising water level in the Chambal River in Rajasthan's Dholpur'.
As a result, the water level in the Yamuna has risen 4.5 metres above the warning level of 113 metres, with floodwaters impacting several areas in Agra, Etawah, Auraiya, Jalaun, and Ballia.
The CM also said that to ensure effective relief efforts, the ministers-in-charge have been deployed in each affected district. 'They are closely monitoring rescue and relief operations in coordination with district and police administrations,' Adityanath added.
He also announced a Rs 4 lakh compensation from the Disaster Relief Fund to each of the families that have lost a member in the flood.
Additionally, if a family's home has been submerged or washed away by the river, efforts are underway to provide them with housing under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, the CM said, adding compensation is also being provided for loss of livestock.
Adityanath also ordered a survey of crop losses and assured that affected farmers would be compensated. He asserted that the possibility of a flood remains till September and appealed to the people to remain vigilant.
Relief camps have been set up for those evacuated to safer locations, where arrangements have been made for breakfast, lunch, dinner, clean drinking water, and fodder for livestock, the CM said. For those who can stay safely in their homes, flood relief kits are being distributed.
Each kit contains 10 kg of flour, 10 kg of rice, 10 kg of potatoes, 2 kg of pulses, 1 kg of cooking oil, salt, spices, a dignity kit, a raincoat, and other essential items.
During a visit to the Auraiya Collectorate on Tuesday, Adityanath distributed relief material among the flood-affected people and also distributed cheques to the beneficiaries of various schemes.
SP chief targets govt over flood relief, Maurya hits back
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday reiterated his charge that the BJP government in the state failed to carry out relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected areas.
Speaking to mediapersons in Lucknow, the former chief minister accused the BJP of trying to divert attention from real issues such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, and flood devastation.
Akhilesh alleged that, instead of providing relief, the government was distributing stale food to flood victims in Prayagraj, while many areas lacked access to clean water, toilets, and medical facilities.
'Rs 20,000 crore has been spent, but homes remain submerged,' he said, pointing to similar situations in Varanasi and Gorakhpur, both cities that received heavy 'Smart City funding'.
He accused the BJP leaders of illegally grabbing land in cities like Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Varanasi, including wetlands and ponds, and challenged the media to examine land registry records to expose the extent of the encroachments.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya hit back at the SP chief, likening him to a petulant child 'demanding milk'.
Maurya, who was in his home district of Kaushambi for a daylong visit during which he reviewed flood relief measures at the Sheetla Guest House, hit back at the SP chief for his remarks. 'Akhilesh Yadav is agitated and disoriented after losing power. He's roaming around making irrational statements. Floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis are natural disasters, and wherever they occur in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, or coastal areas, the government is making all necessary arrangements to deal with them,' Maurya said.
If Akhilesh had even 'a little concern' for the people affected by the floods, he would be spending time in their service, he said.
'But he doesn't have such workers. He only has goons, criminals, mafia, and corrupt people. Giving statements alone won't help. You have to serve the people,' Maurya said.
-With PTI