UP Floods 2026: 3 Killed, Over 16,000 Evacuated as 23 Districts Hit | PM Modi Reviews Varanasi Situation
UP Flood Fury: 3 Dead, 16000 Evacuated Across 23 Districts
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh floods have killed at least three people and forced the evacuation of more than 16,000 residents as floodwaters hit 23 districts. Officials confirmed 3,042 people were rescued and shifted to safer locations on Wednesday.
The deaths were reported from Pratapgarh and Amroha. An 18-month-old boy, Priyansh, died in Pratapgarh. Shera (32) and Suresh (55) from Gajraula in Amroha lost their lives in rain-related incidents.
Affected districts include Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Ballia, Barabanki, Badaun, Chandauli, Farrukhabad, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Kasganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Pilibhit, Prayagraj, Raebareli, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Sonbhadra, Unnao and Varanasi.
Ganga Rises Above Warning Level in Varanasi
In Varanasi, the Ganga has risen above the warning level and is nearing the danger mark. All 84 ghats stand submerged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi, spoke to District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar and reviewed the situation. He directed officials to work on a war footing, ensure relief reaches people immediately, and minimise inconvenience for citizens.
Massive Relief and Rescue Operations Underway
The state government has deployed 1,499 boats and motorboats. A total of 1,067 medical teams are active. Authorities have set up 1,311 flood shelters, of which 201 are currently operational. Relief has been provided in 442 cases of damaged houses. Some 36,287 livestock have been affected.
In Chitrakoot, around 150 people were rescued from Chaura village along the Mandakini river by the 42nd Battalion of the Provincial Armed Constabulary. In Ballia, rising Ganga and Saryu levels have affected about 20,500 people. Officials deployed 83 boats and distributed thousands of ration kits, medicine kits and cooked-food packets.
More than two lakh cusecs of water was released from Banbasa into the Sharda, and over 30,000 cusecs from Nanak Sagar into the Deoha.
Schools Shut, Villages Cut Off
The Khakra bridge submergence has cut off around 18 villages. Classes for students from Classes 1 to 8 have been suspended until the situation improves. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer places.
In Lakhimpur Kheri, the Sharda at Palia is flowing 35 cm above the danger mark of 154.59 metres. Agricultural land and approach roads are inundated, though no village is completely flooded.
Authorities have so far distributed 68,953 foodgrain packets and more than 3.36 lakh lunch packets. Over 5.02 lakh chlorine tablets and 1.77 lakh ORS packets have been given to prevent water-borne diseases.
A yellow alert remains in force in Ghaziabad until September 4. People in vulnerable areas have been asked to stay alert and follow official instructions.
UP floods continue to disrupt life across large parts of the state even as rescue and relief operations are being scaled up.
