In Uttar Pradesh, normal life has been severely disrupted due to heavy rainfall in several eastern districts. Torrential rain has thrown daily life out of gear in Chandauli, Varanasi, Jaunpur, and Ghazipur. In Chandauli, the Chakia to Mughalsarai route is waterlogged, forcing authorities to divert traffic to alternate routes.
One person has died due to a lightning strike in the Kushinagar district. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for the western parts of the state over the next 24 hours.
Uttar Pradesh is witnessing heavy rainfall as the monsoon returns. Between October 1 and 4, the state recorded 28.6 mm of rain, far above the Meteorological Department’s forecast of 6.4 mm. This is 346% higher than the average rainfall for these four days.
In Chandauli and Mirzapur, dams began overflowing. In Mirzapur, water was released from the Ahraura dam, flooding around 20 villages in Jamalpur block. Water also entered the home of Water Resources Minister Swatantra Dev Singh in his village, Audi. Nearby Hasauli village has turned into an island due to rising water levels.
In Chandauli’s Chakia tehsil, water from Latif Shah dam began overflowing. The irrigation department reported 11,600 cusec of water released. Residents near the dam have been advised to remain alert.
An 8-foot-long python was found hiding under a shop counter in Khutahan village, Sonbhadra. Forest officials rescued the snake and released it safely at Mukkha Hill.
Continuous rain in Mirzapur has raised water levels in rivers, ponds, and dams, disrupting traffic. The Ahraura-Chakia road is closed, and access to several villages including Lakura, Bibi Pokhar, Rekhaipur Dado, Hussainpur, and Ratigarh has been cut off. All schools from Class 1 to 8 were closed on October 4.
Eastern UP has been worst affected, with 41 districts reporting heavy rain, while only seven districts in western UP saw light showers. Varanasi recorded the highest rainfall in October in the last 125 years.
A rain alert has been issued for 27 districts, with 15 districts warned of heavy rainfall. Lucknow meteorologist Atul Singh said the rain will continue for the next three days. A new western disturbance is expected from October 5, which could bring hail and heavy rain to western UP on October 6 and 7.
During this year’s monsoon season (June 1 – September 30), western UP received 12% more rain than normal at 752.5 mm, while eastern UP received 17% less at 666 mm. Overall, the state recorded 701.6 mm of rainfall, 6% below the normal of 746.2 mm. The Meteorological Department expects above-normal rainfall in October.
Deoria district faced heavy rain with strong winds overnight. Drains overflowed and streets were submerged. Several electricity poles fell, disrupting power supply. The Community Health Centre (CHC) in Laar was flooded with about one foot of water.
