Heavy rain in Uttar Pradesh kills at least 56, damages homes

Heavy rain and flooding across Uttar Pradesh killed at least 56 people and injured 46 over a reported period of roughly 48 hours to three days, according to figures from the state Relief Commissioner’s office. The same account reported damage to 1,021 houses. A separate government tally cited by officials put the death toll at 62, but reports did not reconcile the totals or establish that they covered the same incidents and cutoff period. The intense rainfall caused inundation and waterlogging in several districts, damaged crops and homes, and prompted rescue and relief operations. Authorities said teams were moving people from flooded areas to safer locations. The Relief Commissioner’s office said assessments of crop losses were continuing. The state recorded 66.5 millimetres of rain between September 25 and the morning of September 27, compared with a normal 7.6 millimetres for that period, according to figures attributed to the Relief Commissioner. Fifty-six of Uttar Pradesh’s 75 districts recorded excessive rainfall. Sitapur had the highest reported death toll in the office’s account, with seven; Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich and Balrampur each reported five.