Torrential rainfall across Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh has triggered severe swelling of local rivers and streams, disrupting normal transit and posing grave hazards on major road links. A dramatic incident occurred at the Kujhan Ghat bridge along the Narhat-Mehroni route, where an oil tanker was swept away by powerful floodwaters. The driver managed a miraculous escape by abandoning the moving vehicle just moments before it drifted uncontrollably down the stream.
Vehicle Loses Traction on Submerged Crossing
Excessive runoff had caused river waters to overflow rapidly across the deck of the Kujhan Ghat bridge. Despite the evident danger of the surging current, the tanker driver attempted to cross the inundated bridge stretch. Upon reaching the deepest and swiftest portion of the current, the vehicle lost all traction and balance. The forceful stream destabilized the heavy tanker and dragged it off the main pathway. Sensing immediate disaster, the driver jumped out of the cabin, managing to reach safety as the tanker was pushed toward the edge of the bridge. The sight created immediate panic among onlookers gathered on the banks.
Footage of the Incident Circulates Widely
Bystanders standing near the bridge recorded the entire ordeal on their mobile devices, and the clip quickly spread across social media platforms. The footage captures the immense power of the water as it effortlessly pushed the massive commercial vehicle toward the river bank. Local residents noted that the current was simply too strong for any vehicle to maintain control, emphasizing that crossing submerged low-lying bridges during peak rain poses fatal risks.
Meteorological Department Issues Severe Rain Alerts
The accident coincides with widespread weather warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department. The agency projected severe downpours across several regions of Uttar Pradesh over a two-day window, issuing a Red Alert for multiple districts. The forecast warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with isolated instances of extremely intense precipitation. In response to predictions extending through September 27, the state government placed district administrative bodies on heightened readiness.
Chief Minister Directs Precautionary Measures
Taking note of the thunderstorms, intense rainfall, and flash flood threats developing across various parts of the state, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed District Magistrates to step up vigilance. Administrative heads have been instructed to conduct ground-level inspections to oversee disaster management readiness. Furthermore, the Chief Minister mandated that educational institutions remain closed in all districts placed under a Red Alert or facing potential flash flooding situations.
