Lakhimpur (UP), Aug 6 (IANS): Residents of dozens of villages have been forced to evacuate and shift to flood relief camps, after huge amount of water was released from upstream dams and barrages into the Sharda, Ghaghara and Mohana rivers.

The most affected village is Raini in Dhaurahra tehsil. Most of its houses and nearly all standing crops have been destroyed by flood waters, affecting 110 families who have been relocated to relief camps.

The district administration is distributing ration kits to all families affected by floods and has also advised sugar mills to immediately clear sugarcane dues of farmers belonging to the affected villages.

Medical check-ups of people staying in flood relief camps are being carried out and they are being asked to maintain social distancing.

Dhaurahra SDM Sunandu Sudhakaran said, "We are distributing ration kits to families in the relief camp in Dhaurahra tehsil. The affected families were provided ration kits at other relief camps across the district. We have also ensured free medical check-up, vaccination of infants and medical camps for rescued livestock belonging to the flood-affected families. We are advising them to maintain social distancing and alert us if anyone exhibits symptoms of Covid-19."

The SDM said that the Aira sugar mill has been directed to clear pending dues of all flood-affected farmers immediately.