LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government today directed the magistrates of 24 flood-affected districts to ensure speedy distribution of relief material, in view of the "alarming" situation.
The death toll in the floods has reached 82 in the state where 2,855 villages in these districts are inundated, affecting more than 22 lakh people.
"Directives have been issued to the district magistrates (DMs) of the 24 flood-affected districts to provide relief material on war footing and keep adequate stock, in view of the alarming situation," the state Relief Commissioner Office said.
Nearly 50,000 people have taken shelter in relief camps in the affected districts of eastern UP, it said.
There has been no let up in the situation as the raging waters of the rivers emanating from Nepal have caused havoc in vast swathes of human habitation, the office said.
Reports reaching here said that Army choppers, and NDRF and PAC personnel continued relief and rescue operations in the severely-hit areas, it said.
The release of water into the rivers emanating from Nepal and incessant rains impeded rescue work and evacuation of people to safer areas, the office said.
The Central Water Commission in a report said that the Sharda was flowing above the red mark at Palia Kalan and near the danger mark at Shardanagar
The Ghaghra was flowing above the red mark at Elgin Bridge, Ayodhya and Turtipar (Ballia), it said.
The Rapti river was also flowing well above the red mark at Rigauli and Birdghat (Gorakhpur) and the Budhi Rapti was above the danger level at Kakrahi (Siddharth Nagar).
The report said that rivers Rohin and Quano are flowing above danger mark at Trimohini Ghat (Mahrajganj) and Chandradeep Ghat (Gonda), it said.