Pandu river breaches danger mark, NDRF launches major rescue in Kanpur

The Pandu river in Kanpur has breached the danger mark, triggering a major rescue operation by the National Disaster Response Force as floodwaters have inundated low-lying and residential areas across the city. The river has overflowed into several settlements including Barra, leaving hundreds of families trapped and surrounded by water on all sides.

The administration has deployed a 27-member NDRF team to the affected areas to carry out relief and rescue operations. The personnel are using boats to evacuate stranded residents to safer locations, prioritising the elderly, women and children. The NDRF has conducted its most intensive rescue operations in Barra-8's Mehrban Singh ka Purwa kachchi basti, a makeshift settlement that was completely submerged after erosion along the Pandu river. More than 150 families from this area had earlier been forced to flee their homes.

The Ganga river has also crossed the warning level of 114 metres, compounding the crisis. The release of 3.61 lakh cusecs of water from the barrage has resulted in waterlogging of one to two feet on approach roads to villages along Bithoor-Katri and the Pandu riverbank. In several areas, water has entered homes up to knee-level, damaging household rations, fodder and domestic goods.

The district administration has intensified relief efforts for affected families. A flood relief camp has been set up at Barra Composite School in I Sector, where relief kits are being distributed to families in need. The kits contain flour, rice, pulses, oil, salt, spices, biscuits and drinking water. According to the tehsil administration, over 100 families have already received kits through the efforts of the local MLA and officials, and assistance is being extended to remaining families.

The administration has appealed to residents not to pay attention to rumours and to immediately move to relief camps or higher ground if water levels rise. NDRF and district administration teams are on alert round the clock.