Bridge swept away, houses inundated: UP town flooded as Mandakini river swells

The Mandakini River has risen to record levels in Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot, inundating Ramghat and several adjoining areas along the state border with Madhya Pradesh, as continuous rainfall triggered severe flooding.The river has crossed its previous 23-year record, submerging shops, temples and monasteries, while roads have turned into waterways.Following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives, relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing to evacuate stranded residents and move them to safer locations.The flooding intensified after heavy rainfall in the hilly areas of Chitrakoot and neighbouring Madhya Pradesh caused rivers and streams to swell. The Mandakini’s water level rose sharply overnight and crossed the danger mark of 126 cm.District Magistrate Pulkit Garg said the level has reached 134.02 cm, surpassing the previous record of 134 cm recorded in 2003. Videos from the affected areas captured the severity of the situation at Ramghat, where shops and establishments are submerged and floodwaters have entered temples and mutts.In several stretches, roads are now being used by boats to evacuate people stranded by the rising waters. Some residents have taken refuge on rooftops as floodwaters surround homes and other structures.The flooding has also affected the route between Ramghat and Hanumandhara, where a bridge has reportedly been washed away by strong currents.The entire Ramghat area, which spans the UP-MP border, has been affected. Several villages in Chitrakoot, including Taraunha, Gobariya and Bahadur, have also reported inundation, leaving residents stranded and prompting rescue teams to step up evacuation efforts.Authorities began issuing flood warnings during the night and made public announcements urging people to stay away from ghats and other vulnerable locations.Residents in flood-prone areas were advised to move to safer places. SDRF, NDRF and PAC personnel have been deployed to rescue people trapped in waterlogged areas and provide immediate assistance.Four NDRF teams, four SDRF teams and two PAC teams are currently involved in relief and rescue operations, while additional teams have been summoned to strengthen the response.Arrangements for accommodation and food have been made for displaced residents, with the administration closely monitoring the situation.Flooding has also disrupted road traffic in Karvi town. Water has risen above the Mandakini Bridge, forcing authorities to halt traffic on the Jhansi-Mirzapur National Highway 35. The closure has led to long traffic queues on both sides of the bridge.CM YOGI ADITYANATH REVIEWS SITUATIONAmid the situation in Chitrakoot, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday reviewed the flood situation and said no flood victim in the state would be allowed to face any hardship. The state government said heavy rainfall over the past few days has affected 26 districts, more than 1.71 lakh people and 251 villages.The CM visited Ballia, conducted an aerial survey and reviewed the impact of inundation and erosion in the Bansdih, Ballia and Bairia areas.He also distributed relief material and said the government was maintaining constant coordination with public representatives and district administrations.The chief minister said relief operations had been intensified, with more than 1,000 people shifted to flood shelters and 447 flood outposts established.A NEPAL FLOOD AFTERSHOCK?On the possibility of the flood disaster in Nepal affecting Uttar Pradesh, Water Resources Minister Swatantra Dev Singh said there was no threat to the state, while stressing that authorities remained on alert."Before 2017, embankments used to breach, and there was heavy damage. After 2017, all our embankments are safe, and projects are being completed on time," news agency PTI quoted Singh as saying.Singh said all flood-control projects had been completed and officials and employees remained alert.With the Mandakini continuing to remain swollen, the immediate focus remains on evacuation, relief distribution and preventing further loss of life. Authorities are expected to maintain heightened preparedness in Chitrakoot and other flood-affected districts until water levels recede and conditions stabilise.- EndsPublished On: Aug 29, 2026 20:20 IST