Army launches relief, rescue operations in flood-hit Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur: The Indian Army on Friday reached the parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to provide the required help in relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected district.

According to the latest reports, the traffic has been disrupted on the Gorakhpur-Sonauli road towards Nepal due to the waters of the Rohin river inundating Maniram township and the national highway.

Earlier in the day on Friday, District Magistrate Rajiv Rautela ordered to keep all the schools to Class 12 across the district to remain closed till Friday. He had also sought help from Army in the rescue and relief operations which the district got by the evening.

After the concerned officials executed the works to plug the breach in the embankment on the Rohin river in the Campierganj area of the district on Wednesday to stop water logging in the city, another breach took place on Friday morning leading to more trouble for the dwellers.

NDRF teams have launched the relief operations and are providing food and drinking water to the affected people with the help of 169 boats.

Meanwhile, the UP CM took an aerial survey of the worst-affected areas in Balrampur and Siddhartnagar districts to take stock of the situation. He immediately ordered the officials to ensure airdropping of food packets in case the marooned areas were inaccessible even by boats.

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"All arrangements must be made to provide succor to the needy," he said and warned that there should be no laxity in flood relief and rescue works.

Asking the officials to prepare a work plan for executing the relief and rescue operations, the chief minister said no government officials will be given a single leave during the time of natural calamity in the affected districts.

According to a report of the disaster management department of the state, nearly 14.5 lakh people were hit in 2,013 villages.

As of Friday, a total of 36 people have lost their lives, especially in eastern parts of the state pounded by incessant rains.

Checkout some more photos of the flood situation in Gorakhpur: