Lucknow — As large swathes of Uttar Pradesh reel under the onslaught of heavy monsoon rains and rapidly rising river levels, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has constituted a high-level ministerial task force — dubbed ‘Team-11’ — to tackle the deepening flood crisis and ensure immediate relief and rescue operations across the most severely impacted districts.
According to an official statement released on Saturday, the state government has swung into action, deploying ministers to directly monitor and manage relief measures in 12 flood-affected districts, where thousands have been displaced, farmlands have been submerged, roads washed away, and normal life thrown into chaos.
Devastation Across Multiple Districts
From the eastern heartland to southern and central parts of the state, rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna have crossed danger marks in multiple locations. Areas like Prayagraj, Ballia, Varanasi, and Mirzapur have witnessed alarming water levels, breaching embankments and inundating villages, towns, and agricultural land.
Tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes. Many have sought shelter in temporary relief camps, while others remain stranded on rooftops or in makeshift boats. Infrastructure has taken a significant hit, with roads, schools, and healthcare facilities either submerged or rendered inaccessible.
Government’s Response: ‘Team-11’ Formed
In light of the deteriorating situation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a dedicated team of 11 ministers who have been assigned specific districts to oversee and coordinate relief operations. These ministers have been directed to visit the flood-hit regions without delay, engage directly with the affected families, and monitor the functioning of relief camps, embankments, drainage systems, and medical services.
The ministerial assignments are as follows:
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Prayagraj and Mirzapur – Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’
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Jalaun and Auraiya – Swatantra Dev Singh (also Jal Shakti Minister), Sanjay Gangwar, Pratibha Shukla
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Hamirpur – Ramkesh Nishad
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Agra – Jaiveer Singh
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Varanasi – Suresh Khanna
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Kanpur Dehat – Sanjay Nishad
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Ballia – Daya Shankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’
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Banda – Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’
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Etawah – Dharamveer Prajapati
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Fatehpur – Ajit Pal
Notably, Swatantra Dev Singh and Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ have each been assigned responsibilities for two districts, reflecting the scale and urgency of the unfolding disaster.
Zero Tolerance for Laxity, CM Warns
In his address to the state machinery, CM Yogi Adityanath emphasized the importance of sensitivity, speed, and transparency in relief work.
“This is a time to stand by every citizen. The state government is fully committed to ensuring safety, food, housing, and healthcare for every individual affected by the floods,” he said.
He also issued a stern warning: any negligence or laxity at any level will not be tolerated. Officials, including District Magistrates (DMs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), and other senior personnel, have been instructed to remain on the ground 24×7, actively monitoring the situation and responding swiftly to emerging needs.
Top Priorities: Food, Safety, Sanitation, and Medical Care
The Chief Minister has laid out a detailed action plan:
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Round-the-clock embankment monitoring to prevent further breaches.
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Rapid drainage of water from waterlogged villages.
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Ensuring an adequate supply of food, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, medicines, and safe shelter in all relief camps.
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Special attention to the needs of women, children, and the elderly, who are often the most vulnerable during such crises.
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Daily ground inspections by ministers and coordination with local administration.