Roads, homes flooded as rains lash parts of Uttar Pradesh
FLOODING ALSO REPORTED FROM AREAS WHERE SENIOR MINISTERS AND BUREAUCRATS LIVE
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Heavy rains disrupted normal life in various parts of Uttar Pradesh yesterday, leading to waterlogging and traffic snarl-ups in several cities, including the state capital.
While overnight drizzling was reported from some parts, the skies opened up yesterday. a little after 8.30am and the downpour continued for well over three hours, inundating most parts of Lucknow, including posh areas like Gomtinagar, Indiranagar, Hazratganj and Mahanagar.
Flooding has also been reported from many parts of the city where senior ministers and bureaucrats live.
Civic officials told IANS that water pumps have been pressed into service to flush out water from areas like Vikramaditya Marg, Dalibagh and Kalidas Marg, where the Chief Minister resides. Residences of many ministers have also been flooded. The homes of Urban Development Minister Suresh ■ Khanna and Health Minister Siddharthnath Singh has also been reportedly flooded. Power outages and disruptions in internet connectivity have also been reported from many parts of the state.
The Met Office has issued a warning of very heavy rains in the next 48 hours, in eastern and central parts of Uttar Pradesh. Met Director J.P. Gupta said that there would be intermittent rains across the state in the next two days. The monsoon is in the state and rains are likely to continue for over ten days, according to him.
Since morning, road, rail and air traffic have been affected. Many flights have been diverted or are running way behind schedule. Damage to property has been reported from Mainpuri, Agra, Etawah, Utah and Farrukhabad districts, where there are also reports of houses collapsing and walls caving in. The state government has issued fresh guidelines to district authorities for rescue and relief, as the monsoon advances.