Gorakhpur, Aug 3 (UNI) Army was deployed for relief and rescue operation in Gorakhpur division as the flood situation worsened here.

Gorakhpur Commissioner Rajeev Kumar today told UNI that an army column was deployed in the region last night.

The army will undertake rescue operations in Gorakhpur and Maharajganj districts.

Mr Kumar said people living in low lying villages had been asked to evacuate the area and move to safer locations.

Noticing the grim situation of flood, government had asked the administration to deploy two additional PAC companies in the flood affected region.

As the water of swollen Rapti river had inundated important roads at Pipiganj, National Highway No 29 has been closed leaving traffic stranded on Goakhpur-Sonauli highway.

About 600 villages have been affected due to incessant rainfall, of which over 200 villages are totally submerged.

More than 400 boats have been pressed into service for relief and rescue operations.

The commissioner has also asked the District Magistrates of Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar and Maharajganj to review the condition of dams and embankments and take precautionary measures to avert breaches.

UNI