📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / ArmouredCyborg
Weather
Storm alert for 47 UP cities; five swept away in Moradabad river
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 11:03 AM
👁 24
The state meteorological department warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms across 47 districts of Uttar Pradesh, while rescue teams search for five people swept away by the river in Moradabad.
The Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority issued a storm and rain alert for 47 cities, forecasting intense thunderstorms and localized flooding over the next 24 hours. Meteorologists said the monsoon trough moving northward is likely to bring sudden downpours, especially in the western and central parts of the state.
In Moradabad, the fast‑rising Ganga tributary overflowed its banks early this morning, sweeping away five individuals who were attempting to cross the water. Local police and the district disaster response team have launched a rescue operation, deploying boats and divers. As of now, two persons have been rescued, while the remaining three are still missing and search efforts continue.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from riverbanks, low‑lying areas and drainage channels until water levels recede. Emergency shelters have been set up in schools and community halls across the affected districts, and officials are monitoring the situation closely to issue further advisories if needed.
The alert also covers major urban centres such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Varanasi, where authorities have pre‑positioned sandbags and sandbagging teams to mitigate potential flash floods.
In Moradabad, the fast‑rising Ganga tributary overflowed its banks early this morning, sweeping away five individuals who were attempting to cross the water. Local police and the district disaster response team have launched a rescue operation, deploying boats and divers. As of now, two persons have been rescued, while the remaining three are still missing and search efforts continue.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from riverbanks, low‑lying areas and drainage channels until water levels recede. Emergency shelters have been set up in schools and community halls across the affected districts, and officials are monitoring the situation closely to issue further advisories if needed.
The alert also covers major urban centres such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Varanasi, where authorities have pre‑positioned sandbags and sandbagging teams to mitigate potential flash floods.