The rising water of Saryu in Ayodhya has claimed four lives, inundated hundreds of villages and rendered 500 families homeless in Manjha area of the temple town.

The Saryu is flowing100 cms above the danger mark, leading to an exodus of many people from the region. On Sunday, the rising Saryu swallowed the Faizabad-Gorakhpur national highway.

In Bahraich, three people have reportedly drowned. Those drowned include Brijesh (35) of Chayya village, Mohit (15) of Unchgoan village and Puja (4) of Halkaranpurva village.

In Faizabad, Ramawati (40) of Manjha area drowned in the flood water.

People are using boats to ferry themselves. The floodwater has also entered the premises of some temples located in low-lying areas.

Additional District Magistrate of Faizabad Vijay Bahadur said the situation worsened after water was released from Nepal in the first week of this month.

“It is for the first time in the last 10 to 15 years that the water level of Saryu has reached much above the danger mark,” said Bahadur. “Around 7,000 people are taking refuge at safe places.”

Ghagra too flows above danger mark

According to Central Water Commission, Ghagra continued to play havoc in eastern part of the state and was flowing above danger mark at Elgin Bridge (Barabanki), Ayodhya and Turtipar in Ballia district.

Traffic movement on national highway between Katra and Ayodhya had been suspended due to rise in level of Ghagra, official sources said. Nearly 173 villages in eastern districts of the state were affected by flood, of which 94 had been marooned.

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