Numerous villages in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh have experienced significant flooding due to a rapid increase in the water level of the Mandakini River, leading local authorities to initiate evacuation efforts for residents, according to official reports.
As of Wednesday, the water level of the river in the district, which shares a border with Madhya Pradesh, has reached 129.2 meters.
Approximately 14,000 individuals across 36 villages in the area have been impacted by the flooding. This includes 19 villages located in the Karwi tehsil, 10 in Manikpur, and seven in Rajapur tehsil.
Many homes and shops have been inundated, prompting residents to seek refuge on higher ground. In areas where roads have been submerged, boats are being employed to assist in evacuating residents and transporting them to safer areas.
The rising floodwaters have severely disrupted daily life, making it challenging for residents to navigate between villages and obtain necessary supplies.
Officials are actively monitoring the situation, and rescue and relief operations are ongoing. The administration is distributing cooked meals and ration kits to those affected, while medical personnel are attending to individuals in need of healthcare.
In addition to local authorities and police, teams from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been mobilized to assist with flood relief efforts. These teams are using motorboats to reach residents who are stranded and provide necessary aid.
Reports indicate that nearly 500 homes have sustained partial damage due to the flooding, with compensation processes already initiated for 205 of these cases. Financial assistance is being directly deposited into the bank accounts of those affected, with efforts underway to expedite payments for the remaining claims.
Families whose homes have been entirely destroyed will be provided temporary accommodation under the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme.
Chitrakoot District Magistrate Pulkit Garg emphasized that the water level of the Mandakini is under close observation. He instructed officials to ensure timely delivery of relief materials, accurately document eligible beneficiaries, and process compensation claims without delay.
Currently, flood conditions are affecting at least 31 districts across Uttar Pradesh, with 22 districts experiencing significant inundation. Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, successfully evacuating 1,528 individuals to safer areas.
The districts affected include Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Ballia, Barabanki, Badaun, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Farrukhabad, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Hapur, Hardoi, Kasganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Unnao, and Varanasi, among others.
To facilitate relief efforts, authorities have established 742 flood-relief posts in affected regions, deploying 452 boats, motorboats, and 225 medical teams to aid in rescue and relief operations.
Additionally, 105 relief centers have been set up to accommodate 2,460 individuals, providing access to food, medical supplies, and other essential resources.
Efforts are also being made to protect livestock, with approximately 310 quintals of fodder distributed in the affected areas.
