Many UP rivers in spate, Rapti breaches danger-mark
Lucknow, July 4 : Many rivers in Uttar Pradesh are in spate following heavy rains in the past 48-hours. Rivers Ghaghra and Saryu are flowing much above normal level while Rapti has breached the danger-mark severing connectivity in parts of Gonda district, an official said on Wednesday.
The Rapti was flowing above the danger mark in Balrampur that has led more than 80 villages being marooned, the official told IANS.
The Gonda district administration has asked people living near the river to go to higher and safer grounds due to the inundation of the embankment.
Rains have been taking place on Rapti since Monday causing it flow 0.280 metres above the danger mark.
A total of 18 flood posts have been established in the district, while two platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have also been requisitioned.
Rivers Ghaghra and Saryu are also in spate in Bahraich district causing threat to at least 70 villages in the Shivpur block, the official said.
Vehicular movement has been affected on the Nanpara-Rampur Dhobiyahar area as a large section of the road has been washed away. The Sharda river in Lakhimpur has also breached its banks.
Besides, several rain-fed canal in Baruni, Nakati, Kawahi and Kataha are also overflowing.
In central and western part of the state though there has been no rain. Although at some places the mercury dropped following drizzling.
In other places, including the state capital here, high humidity levels persist as the Met predicts rain not before Thursday.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
