Gorakhpur floods: 30 villages affected as Rapti river breaches danger mark

NEW DELHI: The Rapti river in Gorakhpur has risen above the danger mark, causing a flood-like situation in approximately 30 villages within the district. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a partly cloudy sky with occasional rain or thundershowers for Gorakhpur in the coming week.
In response to the heavy rains across the state, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials in the affected districts to carry out relief work promptly.
He directed them to visit the impacted areas, ensure proper execution of relief efforts, and provide necessary assistance to those affected, according to a release.
The CM also addressed the families affected by the disaster and gave instructions to officials to provide permissible relief amounts to the families whose animals and homes were lost, the release said.
Gorakhpur experienced heavy rainfall on September 26, causing difficulties for schoolchildren and farmers who have suffered significant losses due to damage to their paddy crops from the continuous rain.
In the Kushinagar district, the water level of the Narayani Gandak River has begun to recede, providing some relief to the flood-affected villages.
Several villages, including Salikpur, Vishesharpur, and Mahadeva, have seen floodwaters recede, allowing residents to start returning to their homes. However, many villages remain submerged, and the recovery process is ongoing.
Villagers in flood-hit areas expressed relief as water levels fell.
"People were worried, their tied animals and small children had gone away. Water has drained out this morning, and people are now starting to come back," said Dharamveer Yadav, a flood victim from Mahadeva village. He added that some medical teams had visited to check on the health of the people.
Dr. Suresh Pataria, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kushinagar, stated that health department teams are actively working in the affected villages.
"The water had suddenly increased due to recent rains. Our team is visiting villages, setting up camps, and providing treatment to affected people," Pataria said.
He also mentioned that with the decrease in water levels, there is a high possibility of an increase in diseases, so they are fully prepared by providing medicines, anti-snake venom, and anti-rabies treatment.