Following the unprecedented rainfall that lashed the region towards the end of the monsoon period, floods continue to play havoc in the state’s eastern parts.

On Tuesday evening, the Ghaghra was flowing 0.61 metre above the danger mark at Elgen Bridge in Barabanki, one metre in Ayodhya and 0.66 metre above the mark at Turtipar in Ballia.

“The quantum of rainfall in the command area of Sharda, near Nainital, and Ghagra, near Kheri, was more than 450 mm between October 4 and 6. This is an unprecedented record,” said A K Ojha, chief engineer of Investigation and Planning (Irrigation).

An official with the state Irrigation department added: “About 3.72 lakh cusec water was released from Banbasa barrage of Sharda river near Nainital on October 7, while another 2.69 lakh cusec water was released from the Katarniaghat barrage of Ghagra river in Bahraich district on the following day.”

The Sharda river, merging into Ghaghra in UP’s Kheri district, is said to have caused flash floods in several districts like Kheri, Bahrcaich, Basti, Faizabad and Barabanki.

In addition to the torrential downpour recorded in October, the topography of neighbouring Nepal is said to have escalated the problem. “Rain water percolates through the rocks in the mountainous parts of Nepal and ultimately reaches the rivers here,” said the official.

Relief Commissioner S N Shukla said his department is in the process of assessing the damage caused by the flash flood. “The report is still awaited,” he said.

It is learnt that the Centre has proposed several dams and barrage on the Sharda, Ghaghra, Rapti and Gandak rivers. “Some of the projects proposed on these rivers are Namune Dam on Rapti river, Chissa hydro power project (Karnali dam) on Ghghara river and Pancheshwar dam on Sharda river. Despite the constitution of the joint committee for discussion on flood control, these projects remain pending,” said the Irrigation department official.