Saryu river fury: Erosion in UP's Sitapur sweeps away school room, 24 homes, 25 bighas of farmland; villagers flee by boats

LUCKNOW: Strong Saryu river's water flow on Wednesday triggered severe erosion in Shukulpurva of Sitapur district, causing extensive damage. River’s powerful currents washed away one room of the Shukulpurva Composite School, leaving the remaining structure at high risk.

Around 24 homes and 25 bighas of fertile farmland have also been lost to the river’s relentless advance.Displaced families were evacuated by boat, relocating their belongings to safer areas. Sevata MLA Gyan Tiwari and Mahmoodabad Tehsildar Anil Kumar visited the site to evaluate the crisis. On Wednesday, 4.04 lakh cusecs of water were released from three barrages, with the river’s water level at 118.20 m, down 10 cm from Tuesday, intensifying the erosion.The decade-old, five-room Shukulpurva Composite School, serving 246 students, was evacuated four days prior after warnings from teachers. One room was swept away Wednesday afternoon, and the remaining four are now vulnerable. Students have been shifted to Kothar Primary School and the Shukulpurva Panchayat Bhawan, with school materials relocated and mid-day meal arrangements in place.Homes in Kunnapurva, Ramrooppurva, and Lodhanpurva, belonging to residents like Kriparam, Sankata, Amritlal, Ramvati, Aarti, and Parasram, have been destroyed, along with 25 bighas of cultivated land.

With erosion continuing unabated, villagers are gripped by panic, hastily fleeing by boat.Udaymani Patel, Block Education Officer, Rampur Mathura said, “The Shukulpurva Composite School was under severe threat from Saryu River erosion. One room has collapsed into the river, but the building was evacuated in advance. Students are now studying at Kothar Primary School and Panchayat Bhawan, with mid-day meal arrangements ensured.”While Anil Kumar, Tehsildar, Mahmudabad said, “Despite the Saryu’s water level dropping, erosion has worsened. A survey will be conducted to assess losses, and affected families will receive appropriate assistance.”