44 killed in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh

Forty-four people were killed in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh in the past 24 hours, officials said on Friday as heavy rains continued in different parts of the state disrupting normal life.

Lucknow, Amethi, Hardoi and some others districts have announced closure of schools on Saturday due to the rains.

A report from the Relief Commissioners office stated that,”Forty-four persons have died in rain-related incidents of house and wall collapse, snake bites, drowning, lightning in the state in the past 24 hours.”

Six deaths each were reported in Pratapgarh and Raebareli, five in Amethi, four each in Chandauli and Varanasi, three each in Prayagraj, Barabanki and Mahoba, two in Ambedkar Nagar, and one each in Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Sonebhadra, Ayodhya, Saharanpur, Jaunpur, Kaushambi and Azamgarh, the officials said.

In the wake of ensuing rains, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the divisional commissioners and the district magistrates to extend immediate relief to those affected, an official said.

Officials concerned have been directed to visit the affected areas and extend monetary assistance of 4 lakh each to the next of kin who were killed. He also directed them to  arrange treatment for the injured.

He has directed to address the issue of waterlogging immediately, the official said. 76.4 mm rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours in Lucknow. Since Friday morning, 39.2 mm rainfall was witnessed leading to water logging and uprooting of trees in different areas.

The weather department has issued a warning of very heavy rainfall over the next two days in several parts of the state. “Heavy rainfall is likely to occur in some areas in Prayagraj, Sombhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Pratapgarh, Sultapur, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Ambedkar Nagar and adjoining districts during the next 48 hours.