Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh government over waterlogging on the Ganga Expressway, sharing a video on X and suggesting that the expressway be renamed the “Ganga Express Waterway”. His remarks came as heavy rain battered the state, leaving at least 10 people dead and 17 injured in rain-related incidents.
Yadav shared a video showing severe waterlogging at the Ganga Expressway and wrote, “Rivers of BJP corruption are flowing on the Ganga Expressway.” He also called the situation “utterly condemnable” and suggested the new name for the road.
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The comments came amid widespread disruption across Uttar Pradesh, where 63 districts recorded above-normal rainfall. The state received 19 times its normal rainfall in the 24 hours ending Saturday morning, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds affecting large parts of the state.
UNNAO TOLL PLAZA SUBMERGED
In Unnao, the Sonik toll plaza exit on the Ganga Expressway was inundated after around 36 hours of intermittent rain. Water reportedly accumulated to 5-6 feet in some areas, leaving toll cabins submerged.
A trailer truck stranded on the service road was also reportedly damaged after water entered its engine. The agency responsible for the expressway deployed three generators with tractors to pump out the accumulated water. A JCB was also brought in to create a pit near the service road to divert the water.
Despite hours of efforts, the water level did not reduce significantly. Commuters travelling from Unnao towards Prayagraj reportedly waited for the water level to fall amid fears of vehicles getting stranded.
The Ganga Expressway, which stretches about 594 km between Meerut and Prayagraj, has faced similar waterlogging at the Sonik toll plaza during earlier spells of heavy rain, raising concerns over drainage arrangements at the site.
10 KILLED, 17 INJURED ACROSS UP
Meanwhile, the heavy rain and strong winds caused deaths and injuries in several parts of Uttar Pradesh. Police said five people died in separate mud-wall collapse incidents, while five others were killed and 14 injured after trees were uprooted.
Four people were killed and 14 injured in tree-related incidents in Gorakhpur. In Campierganj, an old sal tree fell on a hut in Gajarhiya Tola, killing Subhash, 55, Gyanmati Devi, 45, and Kishan Prajapati, 13. Two others were seriously injured.
In the Gagaha area, a mahua tree fell on Bhim Kumar Vishwakarma near Siyar Mod, killing him on the spot. In Jatepur Dakshini, an around 80-year-old pakad tree fell on a house, injuring four people. Electricity poles were also damaged in the incident.
In Lucknow, three members of a family were injured after the wall of a mud house collapsed in Chaina village. They were rescued and taken for medical treatment.
HEAVY RAIN DAMAGES HOUSES, CROPS
The rain also damaged 117 houses and standing crops across the state. In Kannauj, 20 kutcha houses were damaged due to incessant rain, officials said.
Lucknow recorded 125.8 mm of rainfall in the 21 hours ending Saturday morning. Banda recorded 227.6 mm, Fatehgarh 224 mm, Nanpara in Bahraich 217 mm, Hardoi 214 mm, Kayamganj in Farrukhabad 210 mm, Hamirpur 210 mm and Kannauj 204 mm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am.
Waterlogging and traffic disruptions were reported from several areas, while residents of low-lying localities faced difficulties as rain continued through the night. Strong winds also brought down trees and disrupted power supply in some areas.
FLOOD RISK, ADMINISTRATION ON ALERT
The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places in eastern Uttar Pradesh, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible in the central Terai region. Some watersheds in central and Terai Uttar Pradesh were also facing a light to moderate risk of flash floods.
The state government placed district administrations on alert and ordered schools to remain closed in districts under red alert and facing possible flash floods. District magistrates were directed to assess damage to houses and crops, monitor waterlogged areas and shift vulnerable families to safer locations where necessary.
Relief and rescue agencies, including fire services, Provincial Armed Constabulary, civil defence personnel, home guards and Aapda Mitras, were asked to remain prepared.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed district magistrates in affected areas to remain vigilant and visit vulnerable locations. People were advised to avoid unnecessary travel during thunderstorms and lightning and stay away from open areas, trees and water bodies. The Relief Commissioner said weather conditions were expected to normalise after around 36 hours and urged people needing emergency assistance to contact helpline 1070.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
