One dead as flood wreaks havoc in Ballia, Ghazipur

Varanasi: Even as the Ganga is stable in Varanasi, it is creating havoc in Ghazipur and Ballia, causing loss of life and property.

In Ballia, an 18-year-old youth Ashish Verma drowned in flood water. According to eyewitnesses, he was crossing a flooded area with his cattle when he was swept away by a strong current.

Though the residents found the youth and rushed him to a hospital in Naubasta, doctors declared him brought dead.

While the Ganga has crossed the danger mark (57.61mt) in Ballia, it is fast approaching danger mark (63.16mt) in Ghazipur after breaching the warning mark on Wednesday.

Water has flooded large areas of Jaiprakash Nagar in Ballia where Bhawan Tola and Bhawan Tola (east) villages are inundated. Several households in these areas have been cut from the main land. Though the administration has provided a boat for villagers, it is not enough to meet their requirements.

According to records provided by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the level of Ganga at 5pm was 58.66mt in Ballia, more than one metre above danger mark.

Strong currents are fast eroding the river banks at Sonar Tola and Bania Tola of Ramgarh.

Situation in Ghazipur is equally critical where the river is flowing above the warning mark. The water level was recorded at 63.01metres at 5 pm on Wednesday.