India, Sept. 2 -- LUCKNOW The UP government sounded an alert following a forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rain, flash floods, thunderstorms and lightning in various parts of the state between September 1 and 6.

With many rivers already swelling and inundating areas in Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ballia, Kushinagar and Ghazipur, the UP relief commissioner's office instructed district administrations to maintain a strict vigil on water levels.

Currently, the Ganga was flowing above the danger mark in Ballia, Mirzapur, Ghazipur and Prayagraj. Similarly, the Ghaghra crossed the danger level in Ballia, the Varuna in Varanasi, the Tons in Prayagraj, the Jirgo in Mirzapur and the Son in Sonbhadra. In ...