The monsoon has intensified across several parts of India, with heavy rainfall triggering waterlogging, flooding and landslides in multiple states. Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have reported significant weather-related disruptions, while the India Meteorological Department has issued rain alerts for several regions over the next two days.

In Lucknow, intense rainfall on Saturday left roads and residential areas waterlogged. Several parts of the Uttar Pradesh capital were inundated after around three hours of heavy rain, with water reaching nearly two feet in some locations.

Meanwhile, rising river levels have increased the flood threat in several districts of Uttar Pradesh. Rivers including the Ganga, Yamuna and Sharda are reported to be flowing at elevated levels. In Chitrakoot, the rising Mandakini River has affected nearby settlements, with floodwater entering homes in some colonies.

Lucknow Faces Severe Waterlogging

Heavy rainfall brought parts of Lucknow to a standstill, with roads turning into stretches of stagnant water. Residential areas and low-lying locations were among the worst affected.

The latest spell has added to concerns over drainage and waterlogging in the city as the monsoon remains active across Uttar Pradesh.

The rising water levels of several rivers are also being closely monitored, particularly in districts located along major river systems.

Chitrakoot River Levels Rise

In Chitrakoot, the Mandakini River has risen rapidly following heavy rainfall in the region. Floodwater reached colonies located near the river and entered some houses.

The situation has raised concerns for residents living in low-lying areas as rainfall continues in parts of the state.

A bridge connecting areas of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh was also reported to have been submerged, affecting movement in the region.

Odisha Evacuates Over 95,000

Odisha has been among the states most affected by the latest spell of heavy rain. Flooding disrupted normal life across six districts, with more than 95,000 people evacuated from vulnerable and low-lying areas following heavy rainfall during the previous 24 hours.

In Jajpur district, the Kani River rose sharply at Dasarathpur, causing water to accumulate across nearby areas.

An under-construction bridge over the Kani River, a tributary of the Baitarani, was washed away by floodwaters. The incident disrupted connectivity and highlighted the impact of the sudden rise in river levels.

The state remains under a heavy rainfall alert through August 18.

Himachal Reports 183 Deaths

Himachal Pradesh has also witnessed significant monsoon-related losses. According to the latest figures, 183 people have died in rain- and monsoon-related incidents between June 30 and August 15.

As of Saturday evening, 103 roads remained closed across the hill state due to landslides, flooding and other weather-related disruptions.

Authorities continue to monitor vulnerable areas as further rainfall could trigger additional landslides and road blockages.

Army Personnel Missing in Arunachal

In Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley, a cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides, leaving five Army personnel missing.

The Army said two soldiers were rescued safely, while search and rescue operations continued for the remaining personnel. Multiple Army teams and helicopters have been deployed for relief and search operations.

Elsewhere in Upper Subansiri district, a landslide reportedly killed four people.

Uttarakhand Dam Near Danger Mark

In Uttarakhand, the water level at Tehri Dam has reached the danger mark amid continuing rainfall and rising water levels.

Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation as heavy rain is expected to continue in parts of the state.

Red Alert in Odisha, Bengal

The weather situation is expected to remain active over the next two days.

For August 17, a red alert has been issued for heavy rain in Odisha and West Bengal. An orange alert is in place for Assam-Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh.

A yellow alert covers Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, central Maharashtra, Konkan-Goa, Sikkim and several northeastern states.

For August 18, an orange alert has been issued for Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Odisha, while several northern, central and northeastern states remain under yellow alerts.

With rivers already running high in several regions, authorities are expected to maintain close surveillance of flood-prone and landslide-prone areas as the latest monsoon spell continues.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday expanded his Council of Ministers, inducting six Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and promoting two Ministers of State to independent charge. With the latest reshuffle, the Yogi Cabinet has reached its constitutionally permitted maximum strength of 60 ministers in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Jan Bhavan in Lucknow, where Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with senior BJP leaders, legislators and government officials, attended the event.

Two Leaders Join Cabinet Rank

Among the prominent appointments, former BJP Uttar Pradesh President Bhupendra Chaudhary and senior party leader Manoj Pandey were inducted as Cabinet Ministers. Their inclusion is being viewed as a significant political move aimed at strengthening the party's organisational and governance structure in the state.

Both leaders bring considerable political and administrative experience and are expected to play key roles in the government's functioning.

Two Ministers Elevated

The Cabinet expansion also included the promotion of Ajit Pal Singh and Somendra Tomar, who were serving as Ministers of State. Both have now been elevated and assigned independent charge, giving them greater administrative responsibilities.

The promotions reflect the government's effort to reward performance while ensuring balanced representation within the Council of Ministers.

Four New Ministers of State Inducted

The expansion also saw the induction of four BJP leaders as Ministers of State:

• Krishna Paswan
• Surendra Diler
• Hansraj Vishwakarma
• Kailash Rajput

Their inclusion is expected to enhance regional and social representation in the Uttar Pradesh government while strengthening the BJP's outreach across different communities.

Cabinet Reaches Constitutional Limit

Following the latest expansion, the Uttar Pradesh Council of Ministers now comprises 60 members, which is the maximum strength allowed under constitutional provisions for a 403-member Assembly.

The expansion fills all available vacancies in the state Cabinet and is expected to improve administrative efficiency as the government enters the next phase of its tenure.

Political observers believe the appointments also reflect the BJP's strategy of maintaining organisational balance, rewarding experienced leaders and ensuring broader representation ahead of future electoral challenges.

The allocation of portfolios to the newly inducted and promoted ministers is expected to be announced separately by the Chief Minister's Office.

Both parties have begun sharpening their social outreach strategies, signalling that Dalit voters could play a decisive role in determining the electoral outcome in India's most politically significant state. Political observers believe the contest is no longer limited to traditional caste equations, as every major party is attempting to expand its social base ahead of the election.

The BJP is focusing on consolidating its support among Dalits alongside non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a strategy that has contributed to its electoral success in recent years. The party has also undertaken organisational changes in Uttar Pradesh aimed at balancing caste representation within its leadership structure before the election campaign gathers momentum.

On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party is attempting to strengthen its PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) strategy under party chief Akhilesh Yadav. As part of that effort, the SP is planning to field a significantly higher number of Dalit candidates in the 2027 Assembly election, including candidates in several general constituencies, in an effort to broaden its support beyond its traditional Muslim-Yadav voter base.

Political analysts say the contest has become more competitive because the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has historically been the principal political force representing Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh, is facing renewed challenges in retaining its traditional support base. This has encouraged rival parties to step up their outreach to Scheduled Caste communities through organisational changes, public campaigns and candidate selection strategies.

The BJP continues to project governance, welfare schemes and representation of marginalised communities as central themes of its campaign, while the Samajwadi Party is seeking to build a broader social coalition through its PDA narrative. The differing approaches highlight how both parties are attempting to appeal to voters whose support could influence dozens of Assembly constituencies across the state.

Dalit voters account for a substantial share of Uttar Pradesh's electorate and have traditionally played a decisive role in state elections. Their voting pattern has undergone notable changes over the past decade, making them one of the most closely watched electoral groups as political parties recalibrate their strategies.

The Congress has also stepped up its efforts by appointing Dalit leader Rajendra Pal Gautam as its Uttar Pradesh in-charge, while reaffirming support for the PDA political framework in coordination with its alliance strategy. The move reflects the wider competition among political parties to increase their presence among Dalit communities ahead of the election.

Although formal campaigning is yet to begin, organisational restructuring, candidate planning and community outreach programmes indicate that preparations are already well underway.

With the Assembly election expected next year, political observers believe the fight for Dalit votes will remain one of the most significant factors shaping Uttar Pradesh's electoral landscape. As parties continue refining their caste and social equations, the coming months are likely to witness intensified grassroots mobilisation across the state.

Prateek Yadav’s last rites today in Lucknow; postmortem points to cardiac arrest

Late SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger son Prateek Yadav will be cremated at Baikunth Dham; doctors preserve viscera for further probe.

The final journey of Prateek Yadav, the younger brother of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, is set to take place at Lucknow’s Baikunth Dham on Thursday afternoon. Prateek, the son of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhana Gupta, passed away on Wednesday morning. He was 38.

The sudden demise has sent shockwaves through Uttar Pradesh’s political circles, drawing leaders across party lines to the Yadav residence to pay their final respects. Prateek, who largely steered clear of the active political life pursued by his brothers and father, was a well-known figure in the real estate and fitness industry in the state capital.

Postmortem reveals cardiac arrest

Medical authorities at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), where the autopsy was conducted, confirmed on Thursday that the primary cause of death was cardiac arrest. However, the report has added layers to the investigation, noting six injury marks on Prateek's body.

According to hospital sources, three of these injuries appeared to be approximately a week old, while the other three were sustained within 24 hours of his passing. Given the high-profile nature of the case, officials have preserved the viscera for further histopathological examination to rule out any underlying complications.

A family in mourning

The atmosphere at the family's Lucknow residence remained somber throughout the night. Prateek’s wife and BJP leader, Aparna Yadav, who was in Assam at the time of the tragedy, rushed back to Lucknow late Wednesday. Witnesses described an emotional scene as she reached the house, breaking down while embracing her two daughters.

Aparna reportedly stayed beside the body throughout the night. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, along with his wife and MP Dimple Yadav, were among the first to reach the civil hospital and later the postmortem house on Wednesday. Akhilesh, who shared a complex but private bond with his younger brother, appeared visibly shaken during the morning's rituals.

Medical history and complications

While the postmortem cited cardiac arrest, doctors who had been monitoring Prateek’s health indicated he had been battling a serious lung condition. Sources at the hospital stated he was suffering from pulmonary embolism—a condition where blood clots block the arteries in the lungs. This condition often leads to sudden respiratory distress and can put immense pressure on the heart, eventually triggering the fatal arrest.

Life away from the spotlight

Born in 1987 to Sadhana Gupta and later legally adopted by Mulayam Singh Yadav, Prateek’s upbringing was distinctly different from the rest of the Saifai clan. An alumnus of the University of Leeds in the UK, he chose to invest his energy into his passion for luxury automobiles and high-end fitness centers rather than the rigors of election campaigning.

Despite his wife Aparna Yadav joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2022, Prateek maintained a neutral public stance, often seen as the bridge between the family’s differing political leanings. His presence was a constant at family gatherings, even as the internal dynamics of the Yadav family shifted over the years.

Preparations for final journey

Security has been tightened around the Vikramaditya Marg area and the route leading to Baikunth Dham. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the dignitaries who visited the family to offer condolences, briefly interacting with Aparna Yadav and her children.

The funeral procession is expected to begin shortly, with a large number of Samajwadi Party workers and family well-wishers gathering to bid farewell to the 38-year-old.