Heavy rains claim 20 lives in Uttar Pradesh

At least 20 people have been killed in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday.

Heavy showers lashed parts of the state Tuesday. Most of the casualties were due to wall and roof collapses, officials added.

The casualties were reported from Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Unnao, Hardoi, Moradabad, Banda and Fatehpur districts.

The maximum number of deaths were reported from Sitapur, about 80 km from here, where six people died.

"Most of the casualties in Sitapur took place at Sherapur and Jadaunpur villages," MR Verma, sub-divisional magistrate, said over telephone from Sitapur.

"Relief work is being carried out in the district in full swing. Financial compensation will soon be provided to the families of the deceased," he added.

In Lakhimpur district, about 135 km from here, five people were killed following heavy rain in Aggarkhurd, Magalganj and Khagua villages.

"If rain continues for some more time, a flood-like situation would emerge in the district and relief work would then become quite challenging for us," Sameer Verma, district magistrate, said from Lakhimpur.

The state meteorological department has forecast widespread rainfall in parts of Uttar Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

"The rainfall is due to upper air cyclonic circulation in lower levels over Madhya Pradesh and adjoining western Uttar Pradesh. Normally, such a weather system does not come to the state during this time but this year is an exception," state meteorological director JP Gupta said.

According to the meteorological department, Shahjahanpur recorded the maximum rainfall of 241.2 mm while Lucknow recorded 54.6 mm.