LAKHIMPUR KHERI, Sept. 11 -- Swollen rivers and relentless rain have pushed more parts of Dudhwa National Park (DNP) under water this monsoon, prompting forest teams to step up patrols and keep watch on wildlife. Deputy director, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), Jagdish R said on Thursday that several ranges, including Dudhwa, Sonaripur and Sathiyana, had been inundated by floodwaters of the Mohana and Suheli rivers. Rapid response teams have been deployed to protect and rescue animals if required. Forest staff are patrolling through deep water, on foot and on elephants, officials said. Despite the worsening conditions, officials said the animals were coping with the floods. Dudhwa wildlife is accustomed to seasonal flooding and generally moves to higher ground inside the park, field director Dr H Rajamohan said. "Floods and waterlogging are routine during monsoons as DNP lies in the floodplain of the Terai region," Rajamohan said. This year, however, heavy rain and swollen rivers have intensified the situation, requiring more intensive field monitoring. The flooding has caused problems but has not seriously affected the park's ecology, Rajamohan said. The excess water will also help recharge water bodies and promote grasslands after the monsoon. No major wild animal has so far needed to be rescued, he said, adding that animals had moved to higher areas. htc...