Lucknow, July 1 (IANS): Rains continued to lash most parts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, bringing relief from the hot and humid temperature of the past week.

Following predictions of more rains in the next few days, district administration of Lucknow ordered extension of the summer vacations in schools till July 4.

The regional Met department predicted moderate to heavy showers in the next 48 hours till Friday morning.

The Ghaghara river is in spate and people are being evacuated in Gonda, Bahraich and Barabanki areas, where small embankments have been washed away in the rains.

A state government official said the flood control machinery has been activated due to heavy rains in the past few days.

Many cities have been flooded with water on roads due to clogging of the drains. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court asked the chief secretary to personally supervise operations and ensure that the drains are properly cleaned.