UP declares emergency over untimely rainfall

Lucknow, April 14 :  With more rainfall in the past two days causing further damage of standing crops in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has declared emergency and cancelled the leave of all district magistrates, officials said here on Tuesday.

According to official estimates, the state has received over 75 mm of rainfall during March and April, leading to extensive damage of crops standing in the fields.

Officials said that over 160 farmers have died in the state in the past one month, of whom 42 have died in rain-related accidents, and over 30 lakh hectare of crops have been damaged. 

Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan has directed all district magistrates to ensure that disbursement of compensation is expedited and cheques for amounts no less than Rs.1,500 are given.

The regional meteorological department has predicted more rainfall in the next two days.