Full Breakdown
Waterlogging Crisis in Gorakhpur Sparks Political Clash Between BJP Leaders
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The Phone Call Amid Flooding
During heavy rain that left large parts of Gorakhpur water-logged, BJP councillor Vishwajit Tripathi called Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan to request opening flood-water regulators at Tarkulahi and near Palm Paradise. The recorded conversation, later shared on social media, turned personal when Kishan asked Tripathi whether he had “joined the Samajwadi Party,” to which Tripathi retorted by asking if Kishan had joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Both officials said they were on the ground monitoring the situation.
Context of the Heavy Rains
The downpours were described as “unprecedented” for the region, with officials noting Gorakhpur had not seen such intensity in nearly two decades. The rains were part of an active depression that affected much of Uttar Pradesh, prompting state-wide weather warnings.
Impact and Casualties
- Rainfall intensity: Gorakhpur recorded 164 mm of rain between 4:30 pm and 6:45 pm, including 115 mm in a single hour.
- Fatalities: District Magistrate and Collector Deepak Meena reported four weather-related deaths, all caused by tree-collapse incidents, three of them in Campierganj.
- Infrastructure strain: Residents said drainage systems failed to clear water, leading to water entering homes, shops and streets.
Official Responses
- Ravi Kishan said he was on the streets coordinating with the administration and that drainage channels would discharge water once the rain stopped. He emphasized addressing grievances and restoring normalcy, adding that such situations should not be politicised.
- Satendra Sinha, BJP regional general secretary, said any disciplinary action would be decided by the party’s committee and that the issue should have been raised within party forums rather than on social media. He described the rainfall as a natural calamity and noted BJP workers and agencies worked through the night to pump water out of affected localities, most of which were free of water-logging by Sunday morning.
- Deepak Meena highlighted that the administration had mobilised teams across all tehsils and blocks and that the chief minister had issued strict directives to ensure immediate action and support for affected families.
Political Reactions
Brijesh Gautam, district president of the Samajwadi Party, noted that Tripathi had originally been elected on an SP ticket before joining the BJP and said the party’s doors remained open to those dissatisfied with BJP policies.
Residents’ Experiences
One local resident told ANI that the municipal corporation’s drainage system failed to clear the accumulated water despite several hours of rainfall, forcing shopkeepers to bail out water with buckets. Another resident in Betiahata reported her house was severely inundated, with water submerging a refrigerator and other belongings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Given the nature of the depression that formed, warnings had been issued for heavy torrential rain and lightning strikes across East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, and almost all other areas...Three people lost their lives in Campierganj,” — Deepak Meena
- “You are talking as if you have joined the SP?” — Ravi Kishan
- “The chief minister has issued strict directives to ensure immediate action and provide all possible support to affected families without delay,” — Deepak Meena