New Delhi, September 5: In the wake of heavy to very heavy rain forecast in the next two-three days in various parts of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, the central water commission (CWC) on Tuesday issued a flood alert in these states. Local authorities have bee directed to take precautionary measures in releasing excess water from reservoirs.

Due to the rising water levels of different rivers, the CWC asked local authorities to remain alert in eight districts of Uttarakhand, namely: Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Champavat. Alert has also been issued in five districts of Uttar Pradesh - Ghaziabad, Kannauj, Moradabad, Bareilly and Balrampur. The CWC has also issued flood alert in various areas of Assam as the Brahmaputra the water level in the Brahmaputra river has risen.

The Ganga is flowing at danger mark in various districts of UP including Kanpur, Balia and Kannauj. Relief Commissioner of Kanpur Sanjay Kumar has directed all District Magistrates to be on alert in the wake of heavy rain warning till 6 September. Several Ganga ghats and adjoining areas submerged in water affecting over 35 villages. An official said, "Water level is rising in river Ganga. It is upstream 114.61cm and downstream 114.01cm, still 50-60cm below danger mark."

On August 29, 25 gates of Hirakud dam were opened, this led to flood like situation in various districts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places over Odisha in the two days, while heavy rainfall is predicted in Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and North-Eastern states.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2018 10:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).