in brief

Flood situation gets grim

Incessant rains have caused flash floods in Uttar Pradesh's Bahriach district, crippling normal life. Waters of the swollen River Ghaghra have entered residential areas, while houses in nearby villages have collapsed due to the force of the water. Villagers complained that they are receiving no help from the government, and are given food only once. "The water is here since the time rains have started. Two- three days in between, we have been provided food and no help has been given apart from that so far," said Rameshwar, a local. The flood situation is also grim in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district. "Farmers' lands are destroyed and the water is in every house. People are facing huge problems and in some areas, roads are also destroyed," said Ramesh Singh.

Yatra resumes

The pilgrimage to major Hindu shrines in Uttarakhand which has been affected due to bad weather and landslides during the last fortnight, resumed today with the opening of roads leading to them. "The pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri was suspended after landslides triggered by heavy rains damaged roads at several places in Uttarkashi district. The vehicular traffic resumed on these roads today," official sources said. Earlier, the Badrinath yatra was resumed on Thursday, while the Kedarnath yatra on Wednesday. Border Roads Organisation and police helped clear rubble and repair roads in time, sources said.

By A Correspondent