Heavy Rains Flood Uttar Pradesh Rivers and Collapses Buildings

Flood Situation

Four days of continuous rain across Uttar Pradesh have triggered severe waterlogging and structural collapses, with eight major rivers now flowing above the danger mark. In Badaun, a 70-year-old two-storey house collapsed completely in just three seconds, while a weak wall caved in at Amroha's Kazi Zada area without causing injuries. Nepal released excess water into the Gandak river, leading to severe flooding in Kushinagar that has affected 1,400 families across villages like Hariharpur, Marchahwa, Shivpur, Mahadeva, and Salikpur. District Magistrate Sanjay Chauhan stated that 600 families have been shifted to safety on embankments, where authorities set up food arrangements and health camps. In Unnao's Chakvanshi, floodwaters reached three to four feet deep, forcing residents onto rooftops.

Transport Disruptions

Adverse weather in Kathmandu forced two international flights, Jazeera Airways flight J9 1539 from Kuwait and Air India flight AI 215 from Delhi, to make emergency landings at Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at around 6:30 PM. Meanwhile, swollen rivers submerged rural access points across the state. In Gonda, the Tedhi river overflowed and submerged the Chandwatpur bridge on the Gonda-Katra Bazar road with knee-deep water. Badaun saw water overflowing across an alternative route beneath the Aril river bridge, prompting police to attempt blocking pedestrian crossings.

Administrative Actions

Authorities have ordered school closures up to class 12 in Bareilly, Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Sambhal, Bijnor, and Moradabad, and up to class 8 in Gonda, Badaun, and Jaunpur. In Amroha, Municipal EO Dinesh Kumar Yadav noted that notices had already been issued regarding dilapidated buildings. Eight rivers across the state remain above danger levels, including the Gandak in Kushinagar, Kuano in Gonda, Rapti in Shravasti, Budhi Rapti in Siddharthnagar, Mahakali or Sharda in Lakhimpur Kheri, Tons in Prayagraj, and Sarayan and Kathna in Sitapur.

Context

Heavy monsoon withdrawal rains and water releases from neighboring country barrages routinely cause major river swells in low-lying northern plains during late September. When river embankments are overwhelmed, district disaster management teams typically step in to establish relief camps and restrict heavy transport on submerged rural bridges.