"Almost like cloudburst": Torrential rains leave four dead in UP; Ravi Kishan inspects waterlogged streets in Gorakhpur
Heavy rains in Uttar Pradesh lead to four deaths in Gorakhpur. MP Ravi Kishan inspects the waterlogged streets as residents struggle with urban flooding.
A massive downpour has lashed various parts of Uttar Pradesh, triggering severe urban flooding and claiming at least four lives. The relentless rain, driven by an active depression over the region, has brought life to a standstill, particularly in Gorakhpur, where streets have turned into rivers.
Tragedy in Campierganj and Bansgaon
The heavy rainfall led to several fatal incidents involving falling trees. According to District Magistrate and Collector of Gorakhpur, Deepak Meena, the fatalities occurred in separate incidents across the district.
The most devastating tragedy took place in Campierganj, where three individuals lost their lives. The victims were sheltering inside a hut when a tree suddenly collapsed onto the structure, crushing it. In another tragic incident in Bansgaon, a fourth person died after being struck by a falling tree.
“Given the nature of the depression that formed, warnings had been issued for heavy torrential rain and lightning strikes across East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, and almost all other areas,” DM Meena informed the media.
Administration Mobilised for Relief
In response to the crisis, the state administration has been put on high alert. The Chief Minister has issued strict instructions to ensure that affected families receive immediate support and financial assistance.
The District Magistrate confirmed that several measures are being implemented:
- Emergency Response: Teams have been mobilised across all blocks and tehsils to assist residents.
- Medical Support: Ambulances have been deployed at all levels to ensure quick medical response.
- Financial Aid: Procedures for post-mortems and the provision of mandatory financial assistance for natural calamities are currently underway.
"Like a Cloudburst": Ravi Kishan Inspects Damage
BJP Member of Parliament Ravi Kishan visited the inundated areas to assess the ground reality. Describing the intensity of the downpour, he compared the event to a cloudburst, noting that such extreme weather had not been witnessed in nearly two decades.
"The intensity of this rainfall was unprecedented. No one had witnessed such heavy rain in the last 15–19 years. It was almost like a cloudburst," Kishan stated during his inspection.
While acknowledging the widespread inundation, the MP provided a glimmer of hope, noting that water levels had begun to recede in several sectors. He expressed confidence that the city's established drainage channels would clear the remaining water once the rain subsided for a few hours.
Public Outcry Over Drainage Failure
Despite the official response, local residents and business owners expressed deep frustration with the urban infrastructure. Many complained that the drainage systems failed to cope with the volume of water, leaving streets submerged for hours.
One local resident highlighted the unprecedented nature of the stagnation, noting that while water used to drain within an hour, it had now remained standing for several hours. Shopkeepers were seen struggling to bail out water from their premises using buckets, placing the blame squarely on the Municipal Corporation for the lack of effective drainage management.