Lucknow, June 24, 2013: As clear weather boosted rescue operations in flood-ravaged parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially in the western region, seven bodies, which reportedly came floating from Uttarakhand rivers, were recovered on Sunday at Bijnore and Bulandshahr districts.

According to the police, four bodies, two each in Nagla and Najibabad areas of Bijnore, and three in Narora area of Bulandshahr were recovered from the rivers.

The bodies, which were in a decomposed state, have been sent for post-mortem examination and their DNA test would also be conducted, police said.

Similarly, three bodies were recovered in Pilibhit on Saturday, police said.

People in flood-hit parts of Bijnore, Kheri, Aligarh and Mathura have been shifted to safer places and relief operations are still on.

According to the Meteorological Department, moderate to heavy rains occurred at one or two places over eastern U.P., but weather was mainly dry over western U.P.

It said that there could be an increase in rainfall activity.

Central Water Commission sources said that all the major rivers, including the Sharda and Ghagra rivers, have shown a downward trend though they are still flowing above the danger mark at a couple of areas.

The Ganga, however, has been rising all along its route from Fatehgarh to Ballia, sources said.

Irrigation Department officials in Fatehgarh said that there has been a decrease in the release of water in the barrages since Saturday. However, because of the water released earlier, the water level of the Ganga has risen, creating a flood-like situation.

Roads in the trans-Ganga area were submerged, creating problems for the locals.

The district administration in Fatehgarh has speeded up the flood relief work and has also asked the food and civil supplies department to prepare their work plan.

The Sharda, which continued to flow above the danger mark at Palia Kalan, has registered a downward tread in Shardanagar.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 24, 2013.