UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (AUGUST 7, 1981) (REUTERS)

GV PAN Flooded houses and streets in villages of Uttar Pradesh (3 shots) 0.22
SV PAN Submerged undergrowth and child walking through water (2 shots) 0.34
GV PAN Child by pump and flooded fields 0.43
GV Villagers watch man wading through water (2 shots) 0.56
GV People being punted in boat (3 shots) 1.09
GVs Villagers receiving food supplies 1.33

Initials BB
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(REUTERS CAMERA - FARMAN ELAHI)

Background: INTRODUCTION: A further 1,000 villages have been flooded in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where 187 people have been drowned by monsoon waters. Nearly 5,000 villages have been damaged by the floods, which have affected more than eight million residents.

SYNOPSIS: Waves of flood waters have inundated the villages of Uttar Pradesh, following continual torrential rain in the catchment areas of the major rivers in the region. The situation worsened when the swollen waters of the Ghaghra breached the Sahara ring dam. Engineers have worked around the clock trying to save the dam by strengthening it.

Along with the loss of life and distress to people living in the flooded areas, livestock have been swept away and crops destroyed. Emergency services were called in to rescue marooned people, while authorities organised the evacuation of thousands of residents to higher ground. They have been billeted in schools and community halls.

Many villages have been completely cut off by the floods as rivers and drains subsided to the sheer volume of water. The worst hit areas were the eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh.

A massive relief and rescue operation was put into action with cash from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Church relief teams are also providing medical care and distributing food and clothing. The World Council of Churches estimates the three million people have been left homeless by the floods and has made an emergency grant of about 61,000 dollars from its Christian Aid funds. Relief supplies of food, clothing, blankets and utensils are being distributed as family kits. Inoculations are also being given to flood victims against cholera and typhoid.